Computer Science Undergrad Jonathan Ty Awarded Alan Turing Memorial Scholarships for Support of LGBTQIA+ Community
Jonathan Ty, a sophomore majoring in computer science, has been awarded the 2024-2025 Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship and the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship from the University of California San Diego’s Center for Networked Systems (CNS). Each year CNS recognizes a student whose studies relate to networked systems and who is an active supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. 
CNS established the Alan Turing Memorial Scholarships in 2015 to honor the memory of Alan Turing, the co-founder of computer science and a World War II era mathematician and cryptanalyst. Turing devised code-breaking techniques that are credited with accelerating the Allied victory. After the war, he was persecuted for being gay and took his life in 1954.
“I’m so honored to receive this distinguished award and to support the LGBTQIA+ community. This fills me with a sense of confidence and determination to excel academically and make the most of the opportunities presented to me,” said Ty, who was previously named a 2023 Regent’s Scholar by the university.
Ty is one of a small cohort of computer science and engineering students participating in the university’s Early Research Scholars Program (ERSP), a team-based research apprentice experience. His team is developing a novel, audio-based system for human activity recognition in data collection.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Ty is a Peer Leader in the Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program (CASP), offering support services and peer counseling to promote student retention and engagement. He also helps with the marketing needs for CSI iLead leadership program and the Triton Engineering Student Council. 
“By fostering a supportive community and contributing to student orgs, I’m proud to blend technology with a commitment to inclusivity and student success,” said Ty.
Ty recently experienced firsthand the convergence of computing and inclusivity at the 2024 Tapia Conference in San Diego. The conference is the premier venue to acknowledge, promote, and celebrate diversity in computing and covers current technical topics ranging from AI and quantum computing to cybersecurity.
Throughout the three-day event, Ty attended several “how to” workshops on topics of interest, including: how to investigate cyberattacks, how to obtain an internship, and how to ensure accessible and inclusive digital design.
“Thank you to the UC San Diego Computer Science Engineering’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for sponsoring my attendance at this event. This support is invaluable and greatly enhances my journey as an undergraduate student in computer science,” he said.
The Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship and the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship are open to undergraduates who are active supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community and majoring in computer science, computer engineering, public policy, communications, and other programs touching on networked systems. They are awarded to students based on academic merit, with a preference for those with demonstrated financial need.
In February 2020, CNS reached its endowment goal of $250,000 for the Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship, for an annual award of $10,000. In 2021, the Teradata Corporation donated $50,000 to endow a second scholarship, the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship, which gives an additional annual award of $2,000.
CSE is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts (DEI). Those interested in supporting scholarships related to those efforts can contact Jennie Morrow at jmorrow@ucsd.edu. For more information about the Alan Turing Memorial scholarships, please contact Jennifer Folkestad at cns@ucsd.edu.
Story by: Kimberley Clementi