Son Tran’s research interest is in applying artificial intelligence techniques in practical applications such as smart grid, home automation and robotics. The New Mexico State University computer science professor and department head who started at NMSU 24 years ago was recently named the second recipient of the Hue and Pat McCoy Endowed Professorship.
“Hue McCoy was, for many years, a cornerstone of our computer science undergraduate program,” said Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “However, his greatest contribution was felt in his mentorship work and how he impacted the individual lives of the undergraduate students he encountered over the years. He had a remarkable gift for inspiring students, helping them navigate challenges and discover their passion for computing. This professorship is a beautiful continuation of his life’s work, ensuring that his legacy of dedicated mentorship and student-focused education will endure at NMSU for generations. We are proud to see Dr. Tran recognized with this professorship, as he embodies the same dedication to excellence and students as Hue McCoy.”
McCoy spent decades as a faculty member in NMSU’s Department of Computer Science starting part-time in the 1970s and retiring twice – once in 2001, coming back to NMSU and retiring again in 2010. In 2019, the McCoys provided seed funding for the endowed professorship, which seeks to attract and retain top computer science professors at NMSU. The first honoree was computer science professor Huiping Cao, named in 2022.
The department’s announcement described Tran as exemplifying outstanding leadership and impact in research, as well as service to the department and the broader research community.
Before joining the NMSU Department of Computer Science in 2001, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Knowledge Systems Laboratory at Stanford University.
Tran was a co-chair of the 12th International Conference on Logic Programming and Non-Monotonic Reasoning and the 14th International Workshop on Computational Logic and Multi-Agent System. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Artificial Intelligence journal.
Two things have inspired Tran to make his home at NMSU for more than 20 years. “I like the academic environment at NMSU, and the students are hard workers. Every time I see that their success, that’s the thing that make me stay,” Tran said. “I have seen a lot of them succeed in their careers. Many of my students now have jobs at triple my salary. This is the first endowed professorship we have had in the computer science department, and it will be very useful because I can use the funds to support students.”
The purpose of the professorship is to recognize the dedication of a faculty member in promoting and advancing the role of the department and of computer science within the institution and in the greater research community.
“Hue McCoy was very much about his students,” Tran said. “He believed faculty should do more than just teaching but should also mentor the students to guide them in the right direction.”
NMSU computer science alumni, whom McCoy mentored over his years at the university, are contributing to this endowment. Visit this page if you are interested in donating to the Hue and Pat McCoy Endowed Professorship.
-30-
CUTLINE: Son Tran, New Mexico State University computer science professor and department head, has been named the Hue and Pat McCoy Endowed Professor. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)
