WPI's Computing and Communications Center: Services and Challenges

Computing and Communications Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

November 4, 2005
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fuller Labs 320

Senior Directors of the Computing and Communications Center with the VP of Information Technology (IT) will be highlighting services that will be applicable to CS students. Subjects covered will include the Balanced Scorecard methodology, research support provided by the central IT services for faculty, staff and students; communicating with, accessing resources and getting general assistance, and spam from around the Internet.

Al Johannesen received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from WPI in 1968. He began his professional career at WPI as the Manager of Academic Services, and connected the campus to CSNet--WPI’s first internet-style network. He is currently the Director of Internetworking and Telecommunications, and supervises our network operations, telecommunications, and UNIX areas.

Dr. Tom Lynch is Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at WPI. He is responsible for the management, leadership and vision of WPI’s Information Technology (IT) Division. IT Departments include the Computing and Communications Center (academic, research, high-performance, and administrative computing, network operations, Goddard Internet2 GigaPoP, technology help desk, technology training); the Academic Technology Center and Advanced Distance Learning Network (TV/video production and broadcasting/webcasting, academic technology and faculty support services, electronic classrooms, events support); Telecommunications; The Web Development Office; and the Gordon Library. Dr. Lynch earned his M.S., E.E. and Ph.D. degrees at MIT from the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a B.S.E.E. from the University of Cincinnati. He has taught at both MIT and the Boston University Graduate School of Management and has publications in the areas of physiological acoustics, hearing, expert systems, multi-processor based data acquisition and analysis systems, and customer support strategies.

Sia Najafi has a Bachelor and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from WPI. He is currently the Director of Research Computing and Departmental Technology support; his responsibilities include designing, building and managing research computing facilities for WPI and coordinating IT support between the academic departments and the CCC.

Sean O’Connor is a WPI graduate with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, '94. Sean has been the Manager/Director of Network Operations and Security since January 1997, and is responsible for installation and maintenance of wired and wireless network equipment, Internet2, and network security and architecture.

Ben Thompson is a WPI graduate from the class of '73 with a B.S. in Computer Science. He began his professional career at WPI in June of 1973 as the Manager of Administrative Systems which included batch data processing services for about 30 colleges. Since 2000 he has been Director of Computing Services his responsibilities include supervision of WPI’s computing services user support and development, Windows technical support, and administrative ERP system support.

Host: Michael Gennert

Refreshments will be served.

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Last modified: Sep 27, 2006, 16:05 EDT