Capping recent successes in robotics and computer science, Carnegie Mellon University has announced a $10 million gift from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation to help construct a research building in its new computer science complex.

Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon and foundation President David K. Roger said funding discussions had been under way for years, but the time was ripe with the start of construction for the $98 million School of Computer Science complex. It will include the Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies named in honor of the gift.

The 200,000-square-foot complex will face Forbes Avenue and serve as the main entrance of the School of Computer Science. It will feature a modern design with research laboratories filled with computer infrastructure.

"Mr. Hillman has always had a deep interest in science and technology, and in Pittsburgh we're so fortunate to have the world leader in computer science," Mr. Roger said. "When they started this new project, so many things were in alignment, and that's when we got involved."

The foundation also funds the endowed chair, the Hillman Professor of Human Computer Interaction, held by Sara Kiesler, whose studies focus on human interaction with computers.

Mr. Roger said the Henry J. Hillman Foundation -- distinct from the Hillman Foundation -- also has donated money that Dr. Cohon has discretion in spending on activities and projects.

But he said the $10 million gift "marks a major advance" and "renewed commitment" to Carnegie Mellon.

"In our experience, when we make a significant commitment, we stay involved," he said. "That is the hallmark of our grant making."

The November victory of Carnegie Mellon's robotic vehicle in the U.S. Department of Defense's Urban Challenge and the recent announcement that university computer science professor Edmund M. Clarke won the Turing Award provided "momentum" for the donation, but did not spawn it, Mr. Roger said.

Carnegie Mellon computer scientists are leaders in the fields of artificial intelligence, entertainment technology, machine translation and human-computer interaction. Seven faculty members have won the Turing Award, known as the Nobel Prize of the computing field.

"We've had a tremendous year, and it seems that every year is better than the previous one," Dr. Cohon said. "This phenomenal new complex will help attract and retain the very best people. This will be the destination for computer science."

The complex is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $20 million to build the Gates Center for Computer Science.

Retiring Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates is scheduled to visit the university today in the final stop on his "farewell tour." His speech, open only to people with university IDs, is titled "Bill Gates Unplugged: On Software, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Giving Back."

Dr. Cohon said fund raising continues for both facilities in the complex.

"This will be world-class space for a world-class group of people with the Hillman name on it, which belongs on the building because of Henry's long-standing commitment to technology and the Hillman family's commitment to Pittsburgh," he said. "This is the perfect marriage, and a very good day for Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh."

Randal E. Bryant, dean of the School of Computer Science, said the new center will focus on next-generation technology that will rethink how large-scale computers are constructed and operated.

"It ties into the idea of not just how many operations can be done every second, but also how much data they can manage," he said.

In a news release, Mr. Hillman said the research technology developed at Carnegie Mellon that once "seemed like science fiction" now provides tools for business and medicine, among other applications.

"Our hope is that the Center for Future-Generation Technologies will seed new efforts to continue and accelerate this cycle of innovation and progress," Mr. Hillman said.