Paul ’76 and Ellen ’75 Gaske

Paul ’76 and Ellen ’75 Gaske

The A. James Clark School of Engineering is proud to honor Paul (B.S. ’76, Electrical Engineering) and Ellen Gaske (B.S. ’75, Education) with the naming of the Paul and Ellen Gaske Quantum Technology Teaching Lab in Stanley R. Zupnik Hall. This new instructional lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering recognizes Paul and Ellen’s extraordinary generosity and enduring commitment to advancing educational excellence and technological innovation at the University of Maryland.

Paul Gaske, who earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at UMD and a master’s degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins, is the immediate past chair of the A. James Clark School of Engineering Board of Visitors. He is chief operating officer of EchoStar Corporation. 

Paul’s professional journey began at Hughes Network Systems in 1977 as a digital design engineer. Over the decades, he held leadership roles in engineering, marketing, and business development, ultimately rising to serve as Chief Operating Officer of Hughes, with global responsibility for all revenue-generating activities. He was instrumental in launching and growing HughesNet®, the company’s pioneering satellite internet service, and has led divisions spanning consumer internet, enterprise services, government and military systems, and manufacturing. Paul holds numerous patents in satellite communications and broadband networking and is a recognized industry leader—named the Clark School’s Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 2012, inducted into the Space & Satellite Professionals International Hall of Fame in 2020, and was named an Inspiring Leader by Inspiring Workplaces in 2021.

Throughout their lives, Paul and Ellen developed a deep commitment to service and philanthropy. In addition to the Gaskes’ support of the Paul and Ellen Gaske Quantum Technology Teaching Lab in Stanley R. Zupnik Hall, they have supported the Clark School through the Gaske Quantum Science and Engineering Teaching Lab in the A.V. Williams Building, the A. James Clark School of Engineering Dean’s Fund and the T. Paul and Ellen Gaske Maryland Promise Scholarship.

The Gaskes have also supported numerous initiatives at the College of Education, including creating a fund to support TerpsEXCEED and the Ellen Gaske Scholarship in Special Education. Most recently, the Gaskes have committed the lead gift to support the renovation and expansion of the College of Education’s Benjamin Building.