Pioneer in Wireless Technology, Arlene Harris to Deliver Keynote Address at Westcliff University 2024 Commencement

We are delighted to announce that Arlene Harris, a visionary entrepreneur, inventor, and advocate in the telecommunications industry, will deliver the 2024 commencement address at Westcliff University’s 2024 graduation ceremony. A staunch advocate for women in STEM, Arlene’s remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the world of wireless technology, and her contributions continue to shape the way we connect and communicate.

One of Arlene Harris’ most significant contributions to the telecommunications industry is her pioneering work in over-the-air (OTA) updates. This innovation revolutionized how embedded systems from cell phones to electronic vehicles are maintained and enhanced, making the process more efficient, secure, and user-friendly. OTA updates not only eliminate the need for physical connections but also enable faster adoption rates and address security vulnerabilities promptly.

Arlene’s prepaid cell phone concept has had a profound impact particularly in developing countries where wireless technology was largely inaccessible. By increasing access to information, services, and opportunities, her prepaid mobile phones empowered individuals and contributed to financial inclusion, effectively creating a tool that lifted billions of people out of poverty.

Through companies she founded like GreatCall and her innovative phone concept, SOS, later named Jitterbug, Arlene played a significant role in providing accessible technology and services to underserved senior adults. GreatCall’s acquisition by Best Buy and subsequent rebranding as Lively underscore its commitment to serving the senior demographic and bridging the gap in cellular services for older adults.

As the graduating Class of 2024 prepares to celebrate their achievements, Arlene’s presence as the keynote speaker serves as a beacon of inspiration. Her continuing career journey exemplifies the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and defy expectations. Westcliff University is honored to welcome Arlene Harris and looks forward to hearing her words of encouragement as the graduates embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Also joining the stage for a special appearance will be Arlene’s business and life partner Marty Cooper, the original inventor of the cell phone.

Marty Cooper: Pioneering the Mobile Revolution

Marty Cooper will join Arlene Harris onstage as Westcliff’s Special VIP Guest. Cooper, known as the “father of the cell phone,” is an American engineer and inventor who pioneered the development of the first handheld cellular mobile phone. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.

In 1973, while working as a division manager at Motorola, Cooper conceived the first portable cellular phone he called “Dyna TAC” and led the team that developed it. On April 3, 1973, Cooper made history by making the first public mobile phone call on the streets of New York City. Cooper’s vision for cellular technology differed from that of the prevailing ‘Ma Bell’ monopoly, which focused on the more limited use of cell technology in cars. He fought against this monopoly to bring mobile communication to the masses.

Throughout his career, Cooper held various positions at Motorola, including vice president and corporate director of research and development. He also co-founded ArrayComm, a company focused on smart antenna technology.

Cooper has been recognized with numerous awards for his groundbreaking work including the IEEE Centennial Medal, the Prince of Asturias Prize for Science and Technology; he was a co-recipient of the Charles Stark Draper Prize; one of the world’s preeminent awards for engineering achievement, and he was the 2013 winner of the coveted Marconi Prize. The Marconi Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Communications,” acknowledged Cooper’s revolutionary work and its profound impact on modern communication. He was also inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

As a visionary and innovator, Marty Cooper’s contributions have revolutionized the field of wireless communications, paving the way for the widespread adoption of mobile phones. Today, more than 6 billion people around the globe use the technology he pioneered, shaping the modern world as we know it.