MATH/CS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Name: Christopher Smith

Class: 1984

Degree: B.S. Computer and Mathematical Sciences

Favorite LSSU class: Data Structures. It's difficult to pin down why, but I've used the things I learned in this class for over 20 years.

Further education: M.S. University of Michigan, Ph.D. University of Minnesota

What I have done since LSSU: After my M.S., I worked in industry for about four years as a Software Engineer. I finally quit and went back to get my Ph.D. and fulfill a dream of becoming a professor. Since then, I've worked at the University of Colorado-Denver, the University of New Mexico, and Gonzaga University.

Employment: Associate Professor, Gonzaga University

What I wish I could do differently: I wish I had known how special LSSC was when I was there as a student. Looking back, I realize that the education I received was as good as the huge schools I attended later.

Hobbies: Golf, home brewing, reading

Best advice I have received: A friend of mine quit a year before I did and went back for his Ph.D. Although it wasn't advice, it was an example of taking a risk to pursue a dream. He's now faculty at the University of Iowa and we see each other once a year at a trivia contest held at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.

Advice I would give: Stay in touch with your friends from Lake State. I've sort of stayed in touch, but not as closely as I could have.

We need you!

The Mathematics and Computer Science Department is featuring alumni from its programs. The idea is for mathematics and computer science alumni to share what they have been up to since graduation. In order to make this work, we need alumni to participate. It doesn't matter if it was just a year ago or if you're a graduate from many decades back, we hope you will take part in this feature. If you graduated from the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, simply fill out the form here. Thanks.

.