RPI Gets a Quantum Computer — Patrick Celentano

When I heard that RPI was going to be the first university in the world to host a quantum computer on campus, I was immediately excited. When a three-day three-day quantum computing event was announced, and that members of the HASS Leadership Council were invited to join, I knew I could not miss the opportunity. On April 2nd of 2024, I headed back to Troy for three days of learning, celebrating, and reconnecting with my alma mater.

Wednesday, I met with Professor Wes Turner and a few RCOS* coordinators to discuss how RCOS is going. From long-lived projects like Shuttle Tracker to more recent contributions to the Soundscape Authoring Tool, it’s amazing to see how much the program has grown. I was also lucky enough to get into the VCC before the rush and see the IBM Quantum System One for myself. A true state-of-the-art work of art, it makes quite the impression in person. And seeing it in an old cathedral? A sci-fi writer would have a field day with the juxtaposition.

Thursday kicked off a series of lectures discussing the promise of quantum computing, particularly as we race toward quantum advantage. Were many of the lectures over my head? Absolutely. Did I leave excited for the future of this technology? Absolutely.

Dean of HASS Mary Simoni, Provost Rebecca Doerge, the HASS Leadership Council, and Matthew Ter Molen & John Prizner from Institute Advancement.

On Friday morning, I headed over to EMPAC, where I ran into an old music-and-technology professor of mine- Professor Rob Hamilton. A perfect start to a day oriented around both bleeding-edge tech and the humanities. After a morning ceremony** to commemorate this new quantum era on campus, it was time to meet with with the rest of the HASS Leadership Council, to hear from current students, to commemorate Dean Mary Simoni’s retirement, and to discuss the future of RPI with our new Provost, Dr. Rebecca Doerge. This being my second council meeting, it was exciting to see the continuities since the last time. After that, Robert Whalen- director of the Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Chamber Music Activities- graciously gave me a tour of the new large ensemble rehearsal space. It’s incredibly heartening to see how those ensembles have grown since 2017.

The dinner was underscored by the RPI Woodwind Quintet- a real treat as I was in the “Windtet” back in my time at RPI.

It was then time for a dinner assembling the leadership councils of all five schools***; as I understand, this was the first time that has happened in many years! I ended up- serendipitously- at a table with a ‘67 grad, ‘77 grad, ‘97 grad, and myself, a ‘17 grad! It was inspiring- and, in truth, fun- to be around so many generations of engineers, scientists, architects, and people truly changing the world.

All in all, the quantum computer event turned out to be a great trip. What an exciting time to be an RPI grad!

* the Rensselaer Center for Open Source Software, a truly unique RPI institution which allows students to work on open-source projects for credit, presenting their work along the way.

** during which we were informed an earthquake occurred, perhaps an ominous start to the quantum computing era.
*** Architecture, Business, Engineering, Science, and finally, HASS, my own