On September 18, 2007, Computer Science Professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that is devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months. On the stage that day, Randy was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly funny. He seemed invincible. But this was a brief moment, as he himself acknowledged.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come.
I am really inspired by this man and his life. He knew he was dying and yet he did one last thing that will mean so much to so many but especially to his wife and children.
1 comment:
I just finished his book "The Last Lecture" last night for our ward Book Club this month. I was wondering if he was still alive and then my sister told me this morning that she had heard that he passed. The book was great and it really helps to put things into perspective and makes me so grateful for my family and great friends like you Stacey! I hope life is going great in Rexburg! We miss Rexburg sooo much during the summer and hopefully after Todd graduates in December we'll be able to make a visit up there!
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