In the two decades since graduating from MSOE in computer engineering, MSOE Regent and alumnus Nick Haemel ’02 has remained invested in the future of his alma mater and the students it serves.
“My first gift to MSOE was right after graduation. At that time, I remember feeling incredibly grateful for my experience and fortunate to have landed my dream job working in 3D graphics hardware right out of undergrad.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Haemel’s career flourished working in roles for ATI, AMD and Sony. Some of his proudest accomplishments at these companies include developing early OpenGL graphics standards, integrating graphics hardware with medical imaging platforms, and building some of the first stereo visualization capabilities for commercial graphics.
In 2010 he earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later that year started working for NVIDIA, a world leader in artificial intelligence computing, where he currently serves as VP of medical imaging and system software. Through his role at NVIDIA, his work has been instrumental in the development of the first artificial intelligence platform for medical devices, building vision capabilities for autonomous vehicles and developing graphics gaming software stacks such as the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Today, he holds nine patents ranging from graphics and artificial intelligence acceleration to imaging systems.
When Haemel learned about the vision behind MSOE’s construction of the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall in 2019, he was compelled to contribute—not only because of the building’s cutting-edge potential, but because it represented a bold evolution for MSOE’s curriculum.
“My support of Diercks Hall came from a belief in transformative education,” said Haemel. “By investing in this facility, I was helping MSOE students gain a competitive edge in emerging fields—to become tomorrow’s innovators.”
With access to resources like Rosie the supercomputer, Haemel says it’s thrilling to think about the breakthroughs that begin here and how MSOE students are helping shape the next generation of AI applications.
Since 2022, Haemel has witnessed these innovative ideas firsthand by serving on a panel of judges for the Rosie Supercomputer Super Challenge, a contest for students to demonstrate how they have used the supercomputer to solve a problem, improve a process or answer a difficult question.
“Each year, the creativity and technical complexity of these projects have grown remarkably. This progression shows how MSOE’s curriculum and facilities are empowering students to push the boundaries of what is possible, preparing them to innovate at the forefront of AI in any field they choose to pursue.”
A powerful progression that Haemel only sees growing with the construction of the new Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility at the heart of the university’s Next Bold Step Campaign.
“My gift is about giving future MSOE graduates every advantage they need to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The state-of-the-art spaces in this new center will not only improve their individual learning experience but create opportunities for meaningful collaboration with students in different engineering disciplines to support hands-on experimentation and create an environment where students feel energized to learn. I’m proud to be supporting this project and excited to give future generations of MSOE students the opportunity to study in a space that matches the excellence of their ambitions.”
