W.M.U.
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
(1964 - 1966)

Assisted Teaching Computer Science as Computer Lab Supervisor at WMU

Course Taught:		Computer Programming

My Experience Teaching at W.M.U.

In my senior year of completing my Mathematics major degree requirements, I took a Computer Programming Math class at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The class was taught by Professor Jack Meagher, who was also the director of the Mathematics Department's Computer Laboratory. We learned about machine language, assembler language, and Fortran, completing programming exercises in the Computer Laboratory. I found the class very fun and interesting.         Although the Math Department's IBM computer system was relatively small, it consisted of several large machines and required a large room with raised flooring for air conditioning to keep the machines cool. A computer expert from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) came to Western to give a guest lecture. I was amazed to hear him predict that in a few years most homes would have one or more small computers, and that all computers would be connected to each other by a network.         When Jack saw my success with programming in his class and laboratory, he offered me a Graduate Assistant position to work in his Computer Laboratory and help students with their programming assignments. I accepted and combined that work while earning my Masters degree in Mathematics. I occassionally taught the class lecture for Jack. After I finished my graduate classes, Jack hired me as Machine Room Supervisor to continue my duties there.