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By Vickie Nelson (vmn@oregon.uoregon.edu)
This is the second in a continuing series of profiles on Computing Center employees, introducing you to some of the people who work behind the scenes to facilitate your computing experience on campus. Our winter issue focuses on some faces you may find familiar, as well as one that's relatively new.
You'll probably recognize Lara Miyahira as the friendly face at the downstairs reception desk, and you may also have glimpsed both Dale Smith and Steve VanDevender, as they have been working here in various capacities since their student days. Noreen Hogan is a more recent addition to our staff, having joined the Center just a little over a year ago.
Receptionist, Business Services
A familiar face with a new name, Lara started working at the Computing Center in 1995 as Lara Moore, and became Lara Miyahira last summer when she married her husband, Ryan.
After growing up in Westford, Massachusetts, and beginning her college education at Johnson State College in Vermont, Lara followed the American tradition of moving west by transferring to the University of Oregon. Upon receiving her degree in Sociology at the UO, she decided to stay in Eugene.
Lara first heard of the Computing Center from a colleague at Womenspace, where she was working as a volunteer. Shortly thereafter, she applied for, and got, a job at the Center's downstairs reception desk. Now she handles general reception duties for the Computing Center: answering phones, directing people to the resources they need, and checking in tapes and equipment for repair. She also orders supplies, handles shipping and receiving, and creates BANNER account passwords.
Jewelry-making, sewing, singing, hiking, and biking are among Lara's major interests. She also continues to work at Womenspace, providing child care one evening a week.
Academic UNIX Systems Manager, Computing Facilities
Steve grew up in Junction City, Oregon, and earned a degree in Computer and Information Science from the UO. He began working at the Computing Center in 1985 as a student assistant and was one of the first employees of the old Microcomputer Purchase Program, which sold computer hardware and software at academic discount.
After graduating from the UO, Steve worked as a programmer for Dynamix and as a system administrator for Eugene Free Net (EFN) and others.
Steve started his current position at the Computing Center in June 1996. As an Academic UNIX Systems Manager, his primary responsibility is helping to keep DARKWING and GLADSTONE running, particularly in the areas of mail system management, security, and software installation. Steve says he enjoys the variety and challenge of working on such large systems.
Swimming and skiing are among Steve's favorite athletic pursuits. He continues to volunteer for EFN, teaches sit-skiing for Eugene's Alpine Adventures adapted ski program, and serves on the City of Eugene's Accessibility Committee.
Noreen
HoganSystems Analyst, Auxiliary Services
Born on the outskirts of London, Noreen arrived in the U.S. with her family when she was three.
She received a degree in General Science from the UO, worked for several years for Alpha Health Care, a medical and dental software company, and then took a year off to complete her Computer Programming degree at Lane Community College.
Since coming to the Computing Center in July 1997, Noreen has been heavily involved with the BANNER Graphical User Interface (GUI). She provides NT administration and support for people who currently use BANNER GUI, and has created a web page providing the program and instructions for installing it. (The old character-mode access to BANNER will be phased out by September 1999.)
Noreen also provides programming and support for the Financial Information System (FIS) and Human Resources Information System (HRIS) data warehouses.
When she's not working here or on her home network, Noreen can often be found hiking or out on the river flyfishing with her husband in their driftboat.
Dale
SmithAssistant Director for Network Services
Dale Smith's career at the Computing Center stretches all the way back to December 1977 and his days as a student system programmer on the PDP 10.
By the time Dale graduated in 1980, he was taking care of the entire campus timesharing system. It was "either hire me or turn it off," he says with a laugh. The Center hired him as a full-time systems programmer, a position he held for several years. In the late 80s Dale moved into Network Services, where he's been ever since.
Today, as head of Network Services, Dale says his prime responsibility is to make it possible for his staff to keep the campus network up and running.
Dale also does high-level facilities design and works on special projects, such as the UO's impressive new scoreboard in Autzen stadium.
Dale grew up in Seneca, a town of 200 in Eastern Oregon, so it's no surprise to hear he enjoys outdoor activities---including fishing, hiking, and camping---with his wife Leah and kids McKenzie, Samantha, Connie, and Chris.