UWF degree and year of graduation
MS Computer Science/Software Engineering, ’02

Why did you choose UWF and your major?
I chose UWF based on the location. I was an active duty Marine stationed at NAS Pensacola. I selected computer science because I had taken a programming course in my senior year in high school in 1976. I wanted to be a programmer, however life got in the way until I started at UWF in 1996. 

As you look back at your days as a UWF student, describe your best memory. 
My best memory was a course I took called “Programming Languages,” with one of our current faculty members (John Coffey). After the first exam, he asked how much experience I had with programming because I did much better than the rest of the class. He asked me to tutor a couple of students in the course, and I was blown away that someone as knowledgeable as Coffey was impressed by me. It was at that point that I realized that I really could be a programmer.

What do you do professionally and how has your education impacted your career?
I am currently a faculty member in the UWF Computer Science Department. I have also worked in the field for a couple of government contractors.

What scientific or technological changes have you witnessed during your time at UWF?
I have witnessed wireless access, mobile devices and the emergence of Java as a prominent programming language.

What advice would you give students today who were looking at studying one of the disciplines in the School of Science and Engineering? 
Be committed and ensure this is what you really want to do. Once that decision is made, make this one of your top priorities. All the disciplines in the School of Science and Engineering are difficult and time-consuming.

Share one thing about yourself that would give others insight into your interests, hobbies, etc.
I have three passions in life:  programming, cooking and golf. Since my profession centers around programming, I am living that dream. In cooking, I am always looking for new techniques and also interested in the science of cooking. I read and search the Internet for new ideas and recipes. As far as golf, unfortunately work gets in the way of my game, but I still play at least once a week.