Exterior of the Western Data Processing Center on the day of its dedication ceremony
The $5,000,000 Western Data Processing Center was dedicated today at the University of California at Los Angeles as the world's first university computer center specializing in complicated business management problems. Forty-five western colleges and universities are using the Center, whose heart is the 709, most powerful commercial electronic computer manufactured by IBM. Use of the computer is being given to UCLA without charge by IBM. Participation in the dedication ceremonies were Thomas J. Watson, Jr., president of IBM, and Donald H. McLaughlin, chairman of the University of California Board of Regents. The Center building, whose eastern entrance is shown, will be connected with the University's planned Graduate School of Business Administration.(inscribed)