Interested in the faculty members behind our programs? Get to know them through our monthly faculty spotlight.
Why did you choose Concordia?
I might say Concordia chose me. I was looking to move into the Milwaukee area given the number of clients I had in the greater Chicago area for my software company, Awesomefat LLC. It just so happened that there was a last-minute teaching position in Computer Science available at Concordia in 2006 that my wife stumbled across, and the rest is history.
What do you love about Concordia?
There are many things I love, but I might suggest that a work place that emphasizes Christian mission in the context of the Bible and actually endeavors to stick to that mission is Concordia’s “special sauce.”
It’s not easy for a school the size of Concordia to stick to their mission when there are many worldly distractions at play given how quickly Concordia has grown since 2006.
What are your goals for your program?
To create the best computer scientists possible in the context of a Christian world view.
Nothing about our mission conflicts with the knowledge and skills of a master computer scientist. I do, however, think that technology in a fallen world adds another level of responsibility to our classroom so our students enter the workforce equipped with the skills and ethics needed.
What’s the one key lesson from your course here at Concordia that you hope students take away from interacting with you?
Computer Programming is a skill; the language does not matter.
All programming languages have facilities for remembering, asking questions, and repetition which mimic the way humans already solve problems. A skilled programmer can pick up a brand new language quickly just by learning how these 3 pillars are expressed in that language.
What should your students take away from this program?
Confidence that they have the skills to bring value to a wide range of employers in industry. Our program prepares students for work in the field at all levels. I pray that this confidence comes in the form of students believing from day one that the faculty are here to serve the students in mind, body, and spirit and take great joy seeing student succeed. It is not uncommon for students to stay in touch with their CS family at Concordia for years after graduation.
What’s your education and career background?
- B.S. Computer Science, Western Illinois University, 2000
- M.S. Computer Science, Western Illinois University, 2003
- Ph.D. Computer Science, Nova Southeastern University, 2006
- Professor of Computer Science at Concordia University since 2006
- Research & Publications, Consulting, Mentoring
- Senior Software Engineer at Expert Properties Group
- See more here!
What are some of your career highlights/accomplishments?
Academic Honors
1999 Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society
1999 Upsilon Pi Epsilon computer science honor society
1999 Phi Beta Kappa
2000 Graduated Honors Scholar, Western Illinois University
2000 Programming Achievement Award, Western Illinois University
2000 Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Western Illinois University
2001, 2004, 2006 Undergraduate Teacher of the Year, Western Illinois University
2003 Graduate Student of the Year, Western Illinois University
2004 – 2006 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
2010 Featured Educator: The Concordian Magazine of the LCMS Church
2018 Faith & Learning Award
Other Honors
2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 Who’s Who Among American Entrepreneurs
2006 Under 30 Movers in Tech – Midwest
2007 YPO Entrepreneur Spotlight
2014 Bravo! Entrepreneur Award
Software Publications (personally published, not business interests)
(2005) FloorPlan by LeaseCorp – Web
(2005) TrackerCVE – TrackYourDreams.com – Web
(2006) TrackYouForclosures – Web
(2007) TrackYourBPOs – Web
(2008) D20 Gaming Dice & D20 Gaming Dice Pro – iOS App Store
(2008) QuotesRT/PortfolioRT – iOS App Store – First Real-Time Stock Quote App
(2009) CSTools – iOS App Store
(2009) CodeBreaker – iOS App Store
(2010) Armageddon: Earth’s Final Day – iOS App Store
(2010) Color Worm, Number Worm, Shape Worm – iOS App Store
(2010) Santa Sleigher – iOS App Store
(2010) Simon’s Revenge – iOS App Store
(2010) iMeeting – iOS App Store
(2010) JavaDoc J2SE 7 – iOS App Store
(2010) D20 Gaming Dice & D20 Gaming Dice Pro – Android Marketplace
(2010) Christian Toolbox – iOS App Store
(2011) Moments Ago – iOS App Store
(2011) Email Assistant – iOS App Store
(2011) Bible Bytes – iOS App Store
(2011) Village Dental Care – iOS App Store & Android Marketplace
(2011) IQPlus Golf Trivia – iOS App Store
(2012) Chicago Mercantile Exchange – IOS & Android Enterprise
(2013) Club Circle – IOS & Android Enterprise
(2014) Codr – IOS Enterprise
(2015) Investr – IOS Enterprise
(2016) SCH Academy – IOS App Store
(2016) Timeful – Android Play Store
(2016) Simply Blood Sugar – IOS App Store
(2017) IPlur – IOS App Store
(2017) Proximal – IOS App Store, Android Play Store
(2017) Skwad – IOS App Store
(2017) CommunifiMe – IOS Enterprise Store
(2018) Summoner – Steam VR Store
(2018) Jettset Local – IOS App Store, Android Play Store
(2018) Sentence Shaper – IOS Enterprise iPad Store
(2019) BuildED – Web Private
What’s the most interesting part of your field that the general public might not know?
Virtual reality and cryptocurrency are interesting emerging fields.
What do you like to do for fun?
A lot of golf. And I mean a lot. I enjoy virtual reality gaming and home entertainment. I’m a videophile. I love movies and TV shows, and I binge watch them often.
Why should students study Computer Science?
Computer science is a field that bridges many occupations. Skills in computer science are becoming mandatory for advancement in fields not considered in the past, due to the advent of AI and Data Science, as well as the speed of modern computers and the reliance we all have on technology. Studying computer science positions a student for the future as the next wave of technologies emerge.
Why should students consider coming to Concordia?
Concordia is an amazing place with facilities and technology far in excess of what would usually be assumed of a private Christian school. The fact is that Concordia has been blessed in so many ways and has invested in its facilities to enhance the student learning experience, as well as enhance the value of a degree from Concordia through partnerships and programs that extend beyond the walls of the university.
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