University of North Carolina at Asheville
Computer Science Graduates
Adam D. Bradley (Computer Systems)
Graduate Student
Boston University
artdodge@cs.bu.edu
Starting this summer, I will be a Research Assistant for the "Commonwealth Server Project"
(http://www.cs.bu.edu/groups/cwealth), investigating issues surrounding building a distributed
web server with the desirable qualities of reliability, redundancy, high utilization and throughput,
and utilizing existing off-the-counter physical hardware in conjunction with novel and
mainstream software components. My personal project at present can be described on two
levels... at the higher level, I am developing a POSIX-threaded web server that will allow us to
investigate application-protocol-level queuing, request collection, and related issues. Within the
context of that project, I'm developing a module that implements a statistics-gathering HTTP
proxy; this proxy version of the server will be used in all the computer-science labs to help us
gather statistics about real patterns of WWW utilization and viewing patterns. (The project is
now almost in good working order; I know better than to call it "finished", as we all know
software is *never* finished...)
About half of the department is focused on systems and applications, and this allows a lot of
room for people like myself who are fundamentally hackers rather than theorists. What's more,
research group meetings are always rewarding, because the theory-oriented and
implementation-oriented members of the group are constantly bumping heads and keeping each
other in check. Even then, the networking topics we're covering are far from canonical, so there's
plenty of room within those camps for disagreement.
I cannot overstate the value of the liberal arts education I received at UNCA; in a field as
dynamic and rapidly-changing as computer science, it is vital that we have an understanding not
only of the main principles of our own field, but of the principles governing the world that we
interact with; if we truly are entering into an "information age", then we must be aware of the
cultural and civil forces shaping our technology, but also of the social ramifications of
implementing the technologies we study and develop.
The Computer Systems track did an excellent job preparing me for my graduate work. The
department's top-notch computer resources afforded an excellent environment in which to
explore current fields in systems and programming, and the faculty were consistently available
and willing to offer technical and theoretical assistance. Classes offered an excellent balance
between current applications and issues and the theory and concepts underlying them, but didn't
demand so much time as to preclude personal in-depth exploration of those topics.
I'm particularly thankful for the willingness of the faculty to encourage my explorations (and
exploits), and their ability to point me towards rich sources of information rather than just giving
flat answers to specific problems.
Jake Millspaugh (Computer Systems)
Systems Engineer
Sun Microsystems Inc.
jake.millspaugh@East.Sun.Com
I really enjoy being around the leading edge technology that Sun produces. I have probably
become spoiled when it comes to new hardware and software. I also like the variety in my job,
it's not the same old work day in and day out. I may work on several different projects in a
couple of days, or I may work on the same thing for a week straight. I especially like working
for Sun as a company. The corporate culture follows a "work hard play hard" type creed. Scott
McNealy, Sun's CEO, has said time and time again "kick butt, and have fun." Sun takes good
care of it's employees and makes sure that everyone follows Scott's motto.
I wouldn't have this job if not for UNCA. UNCA CSci gave me a huge background on which to
build almost any computer related career. It has certainly helped me here at Sun, not just
technically but mentally. UNCA's "small school" atmosphere promotes close interaction with
students and faculty, as well as working with other people in teams or groups. I have found that,
in particular, to be very helpful in the transition from school to a work environment. In general,
UNCA and UNCA's CSci department was a key component in my career now, and my career
growth in the future.
Vicki Tziavelis (Information Systems)
Applications Programmer
UNCA Computer Center
tziavelis@unca.edu
I like the fact that something different is always going on, whether that be system upgrades, or
user questions that I have to figure out. I enjoy the challenge of working directly with users in
educating them and answering their questions. I also enjoy working in an educational
environment such as UNCA (really!) because I'm always in an atmosphere of learning.
The most significant thing that going through the UNCA CSCI program taught me was probably
the fact that I had to learn how to always learn. Since this field changes so quickly, you have to
always work at not "falling behind the times".
Christopher E. Justice (Computer Systems)
Product Manager, Data Warehouse Solutions
PLATINUM Technology, Inc.
cjustice@erols.com
www.platinum.com
The position allows me to be an integral part of the entire software development life cycle. I also
have the opportunity to "get my hands dirty" and write my own software applications for use
with our products. I particularly enjoy the external communication with third-party software
vendors, and building new relationships with existing and potential customers. Finally, my
position allows me the freedom to make decisions, and I feel personally responsible for the
success of the software which I manage.
Many times during my university education, I felt as if much of the course material was not
relevant to what I might be doing when I graduated. However, I have discovered that I have had
the opportunity to apply almost every computer science course I had taken while attending
UNCA. I still refer to many of the text books required for my computer science classes. The
personal attention given to me during my studies by each of the professors in the Computer
Science department has shaped me into the person I am today.
System Developer
SoftBase Systems
scott@lighthouse.softbase.com
www.softbase.com
www.skwc.com/essent
My current work has two aspects I particularly like. First, I get a lot of experience in many
different areas. For example, our company sells mainframe programming tools, and I've learned a
lot about MVS in the years I've been here. I also get to evaluate and recommend my own
development tools (since I'm the main client/server programmer here), so I get experience with a
lot of new and cutting edge tools. Second, I work for a small company and wear many hats. I run
the network, develop software, etc. It's not boring. There's always something interesting and fun.
We're also a fast moving company which pounces on new opportunities. It's never the same old
same old.
In addition to my work at Softbase, I do a little web programming on the side for SK Web
Construction. In return, they've given me some room to put up web pages on their server. I've put
up just about everything I could think of at my site. Shareware and free programs, my Cyber
Reviews book reviews, poems, artwork, music, you name it. It's a playground where I can be
creative and really test the limits of what you can do on the web.
I have also gotten an article published in the December 1997 issue of Windows Developer's
Journal, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a published author.
What I liked most about UNCA was the unrestricted access to the UNIX workstations, the
Internet, etc. For someone who enjoyed learning on his own, it was a perfect environment to
explore things of interest. I don't know if any other school would have the same combination of a
small, informal CS department with big-time equipment.
Allowing me to do a lot of independent learning has helped me in my current job, too. That's all I
do! Since I've graduated, I've had to learn one new technology after another: Delphi, Java, DB2
Universal Database, Windows NT, etc. I have to constantly try to stay on top of new technology.
The single most important quality a computer professional can have is an unstoppable drive to
learn as much as possible as quickly as possible.
The importance of the humanities studies at UNCA for computer science majors can't be
underestimated. The people who design our computers often have no appreciation of the human
condition, and live in an insulated ivory tower (or machine room) out of touch with the impact
technology has on human lives. Without an appreciation for what it means to be human and an
understanding that it is our job as the people who are creating the future to make the human
condition better, you will not have a direction for your career in computer science.
Steve Fleming (Information Systems)
Webmaster
National Climatic Data Center
sfleming@ncdc.noaa.gov
www.ncdc.noaa.gov
I found UNCA to be an excellent education at a livable price. The course work was challenging
but rewarding. The instructors were outstanding and the curriculum prepared me for the
challenges I face today. I would recommend it to anyone.
Janet Schroeder Shearon (Computer Systems)
Business Analyst
Sonopress, Inc.
janet_shearon@sonogate.sonopress.com
There are two reasons UNC-A is fond to me.... 1) It gave me the opportunity to get an education
in which I can support myself and 2) It gave me the opportunity to meet my husband!
Kathy Hawkins (Information Systems)
Computer Scientist
National Climatic Data Center
khawkins@ncdc.noaa.gov
My years at UNC-A were an exciting, stressful time in my life. Working full-time and attending
college part-time presented continuous challenges. The environment at UNC-A promoted a sense
of "belonging" for both resident and commuter students. My Computer Science classes were
time-consuming and difficult, but the professors and students were cohesive; promoting a
learning environment that was enjoyable. I don't really look back at my college years as the
"good old days," but they were an important time of learning and growing in my life.