Who is Randy Pausch

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Inspiring Professor of The Last Lecture

It is highly likely that Dr. Randy Pausch lasting legacy may not come for his work in Computer Science, his field of expertise. His lasting legacy is likely to come from a lecture that has become know as "The Last Lecture" teaching people about "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."

Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture has become an Internet phenomenon. He inspired people at the time and continues to inspire people (thanks to the availably of the lecture online) to not only following your dreams, but achieving your dreams. He advises "It's important to have specific dreams," to "Dream Big" but perhaps his most important message is to "Always have fun." (The photo with his three children is an illustration of this point.)

From my perspective as a Physician who has worked with those at the end of life and as a Thanatologist, I believe his greater gift is his ongoing continued teaching about *living* after getting the diagnosis of a terminal illness. His head-on, straight-forward, entertaining and motivational approach to facing the diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer has been an inspiration to the millions that have seen his Last Lecture and have watched his story unfold.

Dr. Pausch has also become a "poster child" for Pancreatic Cancer, putting a face to an often overlooked cancer by recording several Public Service Announcements. He has also testified in front of Congress as to the need for more research money being allocated for Pancreatic Cancer Research. He supports the The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Updates July 25, 2008: It is with great sadness that I have to report that Dr. Randy Pausch has lost his battle with Cancer. He died July 25, 2008.

In Lieu of Flowers: The family requests that donations on Randy's behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund (www.cmu.edu/giving/pausch), which primarily supports the university's continued work on the Alice project.

More information can be found at the Carnige Mellon Tribute page to the Enduring Legacy.

Three reasons to admire Dr. Randy Pausch 

  1. His amazing spirit and love of life.
  2. His gift of not just teaching, but inspiring.
  3. His lasting legacy with "The Last Lecture" not only for his family and his students, but for those of us lucky enough to have seen or read the inspiring lecture.

Note to Self

Always remember what Dr. Randy Pausch said:

Time is all you have...

and you may find one day that

you have less than you think.

The Invitatation to Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture 

Pausch delivered his last public lecture titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," at CMU on September 18, 2007. The fliers announcing the lecture read as follows:

Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don't achieve theirs, and I think that's a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I've actually achieved most of them. More importantly, I have found ways, in particular the creation (with Don Marinelli), of CMU's Entertainment Technology Center (http://www.etc.cmu.edu) of helping many young people actually *achieve* their childhood dreams.

This talk will discuss how I achieved my childhood dreams (being in zero gravity, designing theme park rides for Disney, and a few others), and will contain realistic advice on how *you* can live your life so that you can make your childhood dreams come true, too.


Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture was an answer to the question, "What wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?"

An Invitation to The Last Lecture

The Official Last Lecture Video by Dr. Randy Pausch on YouTube 

The Official Last Lecture Video from Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture. Also learn about the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/bridge.html.

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Table of Contents for Randy Pausch 

The Inspiration behind The Last Lecture 

Dr. Randy Pausch tells about the inspiration behind "The Last Lecture:"
    At many colleges, professors are asked to give a "last lecture." In this talk, they ruminate on what matters most to them. As they speak, audiences mull the same question: "What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?"

    Last year, I agreed to give a last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, where I'm a professor in the computer science department. A few weeks later, I learned that I had only months to live-I was dying of pancreatic cancer.

    I knew I could cancel. I have three young children, I'm married to Jai, the woman of my dreams, and there were so many things to be done. But by speaking, I knew I could put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.

    Here's what I want to share.

Excerpt from The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey Zaslow.

Main Points from the Last Lecture 

These were the main points made by Dr. Pausch during his last lecture on "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."
  1. Always have fun
  2. Dream big
  3. Ask for what you want
  4. Dare to take a risk
  5. Look for the best in everyone
  6. Make time for what matters
  7. Let kids be themselves

Journeys: Composing a Life 

"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture was part of the Journeys series at Carnegie Mellon.

"Journeys" are special University Lectures in which Carnegie Mellon faculty members share their reflections on their journeys - the everyday actions, decisions, challenges and joys that make a life.

Read More about the University Lecture Series: Journeys at the Caarnegie Mellon website.

Reader Feedback / Educator Challenge on Your Last Lecture 

If you were asked to deliver a Last Lecture...

What would you focus on for your Last Lecture?

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I would focus on...

Jimmie says:

The offer of eternal life given to us through Jesus Christ.

There is more than this physical world we live in. Be ready for what comes afterwards. Invest your life in something that matters -- eternity. Lay up treasures in heaven.

Griefdoc says:

I would focus on teaching people how to cope with life challenges. I would probably end up using Dr. Randy Pausch as an amazing example of coping with what life gives you.

I would not focus on...

 

Vote for Your Favorite Randy Pausch Quote 

The sign of a great teacher is to give people quotes that they will remember, thoughts that may change their minds. Dr. Randy Pausch is a walking 'sound bite' with a collection of many memorable and motivational quotes.

If your favorite quote isn't there, add your own.

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

1 point

Time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think.

1 point

It's important to have specific dreams.

1 point

If you wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you.

1 point

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted.

1 point

If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you...

0 points

The lecture really was for my kids, but if others are finding value in it, that is wonderful.

0 points

Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things.

0 points

And always remember that people matter. People, not things.

0 points

10

Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living," said Pausch. "Sadly, most people don't achieve theirs, and I think that's a shame.

0 points

11

I, like Moses, get to see the Promised Land but I won't get to set foot in it, and that's okay, because I can see it and the vision is clear-millions of kids having fun while learning something hard.

0 points

12

Someone asked what I want on my tombstone. I said: "Randy Pausch: He Lived 30 Years After a Terminal Diagnosis."

0 points

13

Each of us must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh characters. Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore? It's clear where I stand.

0 points

14

By speaking, I knew I could put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.

0 points

15

My job is to help my kids foster a joy for life and develop the tools to fulfill their own wishes.

0 points

Are You a Tigger or an Eeyore? 

    I came to an early realization. Each of us must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh characters.

    Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore? It's clear where I stand.

    I won't let go of the Tigger in me.

    Dr. Randy Pausch

Tigger in the Amazon Spotlight 

Soft 'n Silly Tigger

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 11/10/2009)Buy Now

Your own fun-loving, soft and silly Tigger, a reminder of what to strive for in life.

This adorable Tigger is made of soft velour that's perfect for cuddling. The "silly" part is that he flops about and falls into funny positions when picked up and put down.

6.2 x 8 x 11.8 inches

A Squidlit Lens on the Last Lecture 

The Last Lecture Book Website 

Randy's lecture has become a phenomenon, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. In his book based on the now-famous lecture, Randy looks at dreams even more to inspire us all.
The Last Lecture | Randy Pausch
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch--the lecture that captivated the world is now a book to inspires millions. The official website for the book.

The Last Lecture Book in the Amazon Spotlight 

The Last Lecture

Amazon Price: $14.27 (as of 11/10/2009)Buy Now

An extension in book form of the lecture that has become a phenomenon. In the book version Randy Pausch combines the humor, inspiration and intelligence from the lecture and creates a more permanent form.

This book is destined to become a classic gift book to inspire those facing challenges or life changes.

More for those who liked the Last Lecture 

If you loved The Last Lecture, you may also enjoy:

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An Hour to Live, an Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given by Richard Carlson, Kristine Carlson

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Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Novel by Elizabeth Noble

Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Novel by Elizabeth Noble

How do you cope in a world without your mother? Wh more...0 points

Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. by Maria Shriver

Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. by Maria Shriver

I've learned that asking ourselves not just what w more...0 points

Hope's Wish: How One Girl's Dream Made Others Come True by Stuart Stout, Shelby Stout

Hope's Wish: How One Girl's Dream Made Others Come True by Stuart Stout, Shelby Stout

One courageous girl used her final wish to fulfill more...0 points

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope by Don & Susie Van Ryn, Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope by Don & Susie Van Ryn, Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak

Meet Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak: one buried u more...0 points

A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last by Stephen Levine

A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last by Stephen Levine

In his new book, Stephen Levine, author of the per more...0 points

Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers by Elizabeth Edwards

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The Latest News about The Last Lecture 

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Randy Pausch at a Glance 

Randolph Frederick "Randy" Pausch (October 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) was an American professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pausch learned that he had a terminal case of pancreatic cancer in September 2006. He gave an upbeat lecture entitled "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" on September 18, 2007 at Carnegie Mellon, which became a popular YouTube video and led to other media appearances. He then co-authored a book called The Last Lecture on the same theme, which became a N...

Dr. Randy Pausch Websites at Carnegie Mellon 

Randy Pausch's Web Site
Dr. Randy Pausch's Web Site at Carnegie Mellon University.
Randy Pausch Day-to-Day Information
Dr. Randy Pausch's Day-to-Day Update Page at Carnegie Mellon University.

Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture 

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Order a DVD and Learn More - Carnegie Mellon University
View Randy Pausch's Last Lecture at the Carnegie Mellon University Website.
Transcript of the Last Lecture
PDF File Transcript of Dr. Randy Pauch's "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."
Randy Pausch: Childhood Dreams Lecture - Carnegie Mellon University
View the Last Lecture at the Carnegie Mellon University website.

Professor Randy Pausch Honorary Fund 

Because of the overwhelming show of support for faculty member Randy Pausch and his work, the university has established the Randy Pausch Honorary Fund to help honor his legacy.

The Pausch Fund will enable the university to continue and complete Randy's work, including his most important academic project: the Alice 3D authoring system.
Professor Randy Pausch - Carnegie Mellon University
Information on the Professor Randy Pausch Honorary Fund.

Randy Pausch and the Last Lecture on Flickr 

Randy Pausch:  Last Lecture by jwalsh

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Dr. Randy Pausch in the News 

Professor Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on Oprah
In September 2007, a university professor who is dying of cancer gave a final lecture to his students that has since been downloaded more than a million times on the Internet.
ABC News: The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life the special interview with Diane Sawyer.

The Incredible Pausch Family

Chemo Cannot affect SuperPowers 

For my last Halloween, Jai, our kids and I dressed up as the Incredibles. I put a photo of us on my website and explained that chemo had not affected my superpowers. I got smiling e-mails in response.

Randy Pausch

Another Lens about Dr. Randy Pausch - The SuperHero 

Created as part of the SuperHero Challenge, featuring everyday superheroes.

Dr. Randy Pausch ABC Special Clip on YouTube 

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The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life 

An ABC New Story

ABC News: The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life an interview with Diane Sawyers on ABC News.
Order PRIMETIME: The Last Lecture: 4/9/08
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this special will go to the research centers Randy supports. The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The Latest Blog Posts about Randy Pausch 

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
A common assignment that High School teachers & College Professors give is to write a paper or give a speech as if it were your last one on earth. What.
Person of the Week Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has terminal cancer and expects to live for just a few more months. ? Carnegie Mellon Universit Peron Of the Week Randy Pausch Professor's Lecture.
Remembering a Remarkable Man : Randy Pausch « Tasithoughts's Weblog
Today, I wanted to post some videos capturing the life of a man who lived through and then died of pancreatic cancer. Randy Pausch faced death with such a heroic manner that continues to inspire millions. I thought about him today. ...
CMU to dedicate pedestrian bridge to Randy Pausch's memory ...
The bridge spans a hollow between the new Gates Center for Computer Science and the Purnell Center for the Arts on the CMU campus.

The Latest News about Dr. Randy Pausch 

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The Latest and Last Public Service Announcement by Dr. Randy Pausch  

Randy Pausch: Life. Lessons. Legacy.

Public service announcement of The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research featuring Dr. Randy Pausch.

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Your thoughts about Randy Pausch 

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Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube 

Putting a face to Pancreatic Cancer.

Public Service Announcement featuring Randy Pausch

Dr. Randy Pausch speaks about the need for increased research dollars for Pancreatic Cancer. Please visit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org for more information.

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Organizations Researching and Managing Pancreatic Cancer 

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.
The Lustgarten Foundation
Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer Treatment, Help & Information from The Lustgarten Foundation. The mission of The Lustgarten Foundation is to advance the scientific and medical research related to the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube 

Putting a face to Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PSA with Dr. Randy Pausch

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, but receives extremely little federal funding to support research efforts. Dr. Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor who has pancreatic cancer, has joined efforts with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to urge the federal government to provide critical funding to speed the cure for this horrible disease.

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Learning to Program with Alice in the Amazon Spotlight 

Learning to Program with Alice, Brief Edition

Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)Buy Now

This book takes an innovative approach to fundamental programming concepts using 3D animation.

It is written for anyone interested in programming using the Alice environment, an innovative 3D programming environment for teaching children.

Alice.org Programming Promotional Video on YouTube 

Alice Programming Promotional Video

This video demonstrates use of Alice, an introductory 3D programming language. This video was originally posted at the Alice Homepage at alice.org. Download Alice, and give it a try!

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Alice.org - An Innovative 3D Programming Environment 

Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a freely available teaching tool designed to be a student's first exposure to object-oriented programming. It allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games.

In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects.
Alice.org
Alice is made freely available as a public service from Carnegie Mellon University.

Dr. Randy Pausch ia a Featured Lens at the Giving Back Group 

A Shining Example of the Power of Altruism at Work 

Jump for Joy

 

While this photo is not specifically on of Randy Pausch, I believe this exuberance and love of life captured in this image is a fitting representation of his spirit.

Photo Source: Jessica Bowden. Jump for Joy. Royalty Free Use.

Living Each Day to the Fullest 

    It is only when we truly know
    and understand that we have a limited time on earth
    and that we have no way of knowing
    when our time is up
    that we will begin to live each day to the fullest,
    as if it were the only one we had.

    Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

A Featured Lens on Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross 

May You Live All the Days of Your Life...Amazon Spotlight 

'May You Live...' Necklace (length: 16")

Amazon Price: $46.00 (as of 11/10/2009)Buy Now

This beautiful necklace, one of my personal favorites and mantras, expresses my wish for Randy and his family...

May you live all the days of your life.

Announcing the Randy Pausch's Memorial Footbridge 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Mellon and on behalf of the entire university, I'm pleased to announce today that the bridge connecting these two [Purnell Center for the Arts and Gates Center for Computer Science] will be known as the Randy Pausch Memorial Footbridge.

Randy, there'll be a generation of students and faculty to come here who will not know you, but they will cross that bridge, they will see your name, and they'll ask those of us who did know you. And we will tell them that unfortunately they were not able to experience the man, but they are surely experiencing the impact of the man. Randy, thank you for all that you've done for Carnegie Mellon. We're going to miss you.

Jerry Cohen
President of Carnegie Mellon University


The Randy Pausch Memorial Footbridge is a raised pedestrian bridge that will connect CMU's new Computer Science building with their Center for the Arts, a symbol of the way that Dr. Randy Pausch linked those two disciplines together.

A Featured Lens on Who Wants to Live Forever 

Another reminder of how fleeting our time is.

Dr. Randy Pausch Available on eBay 

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Other Squidoo Lenses on Dr. Randy Pausch 

Reader Feedback on Dr. Randy Pausch 

Have you been inspired by Dr. Randy Pausch?

What would you say at your last lecture?

mukunda22 wrote...

Randy Pausch is indeed an inspiration! The message he teaches is hekpful and inspiring!!

####blessed####

ReplyPosted October 28, 2009

Graceonline wrote...

One of the quotes I like best, posted here, is "If you wait long enough ... people will surprise and impress you." It is true.

I am grateful and pleased to add this lens to the Building Ordinary group under the heading "People whose work contributes to the vision." Surely it is comforting to many to know that even after we're gone, our work may still be of use.

ReplyPosted February 22, 2009

Comfortdoc wrote...

May we all strive to be the "Tigger" that Randy Pausch was.

ReplyPosted July 30, 2008

Lensmaster

Julie Davis wrote

Oh , if only every one in the world could be the "Tigger" that Randy was. Just think what more we could have ackomplished and how much Fun we would have had trying!God Bless Randy Pausch and all his blessed family! His children may not have his presence, but they will always know his spirit.

Reply Posted July 29, 2008

NewRiver wrote...

Very inspirational! Thanks for joining Links Plexo Group!

ReplyPosted April 11, 2008

Benefitting Cancer Research 

If you buy any of the books or products recommended on this page, a donation is automatically made to Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation), working to prevent cancer through research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved.

In addition the webmaster has made a donation to the The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and purchased the ABCNews, The Last Lecture: 4/9/08.

by Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...

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