Category Archives: Stories

Will AI write your thesis?

This fall, I was honored to serve as Whitman’s convocation speaker. When I agreed to speak, I had no idea what I would talk about, but by time I sat down to write it was obvious what question to ask. It was a fun speech to write, and as I learned more, I changed my conclusion several times. It was a fun speech to deliver, and I appreciate all those who laughed in the right places. Continue reading

Photo essay: Commencement 2021

I got my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine just in time to volunteer for Commencement on May 23. I was assigned the role of Faculty Marshall, which meant I got to help students line up in the correct order to receive their diplomas. Then while walking Gwendolyn to daycare in the morning, I saw the first stages of on-site planning for Whitman’s first (and hopefully only) socially distanced Commencement. I decided to start taking photos of the preparations.

Exactly two months later, I am finally sitting down to put them together into a photo journal. Here it is.

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Farewell to CS 301, ST: Computer Networks

Whitman’s last day of classes is this coming Monday. Since my Computer Networks class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, today was our last day of class. This blog post is based on the notes for my farewell speech.

Outline due to Dr. Freda Rebelsky via Dr. Samuel Rebelsky.

  1. This class was special.
  2. Keep in touch.
  3. Take care of yourselves and each other.
  4. Remember to say goodbye.

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Welcoming Women to Computer Science: The Director’s Cut

Before my article 5 Ways to Welcome Women to Computer Science was published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, there was, of course, a longer version. I’d like to share that here because it includes some details—and one entire point—that didn’t make print.

It’s also come to my attention that the Chronicle article is behind a paywall. My blog, of course, is not.

So without further ado or revisions, here it is. Continue reading

What I was like as a student

Me ca. 1997, wearing the HMC “Claremont Smog Scale” t-shirt – in grey, of course. Note the loose hair and awkwardly amused expression. Photo courtesy Bob Keller (may he rest in peace).

At a recent (virtual) gathering of friends and colleagues, Sharon Alker asked, “What were you like as a student?” This blog post is an extended response to her question—partly for Sharon and my other faculty friends, partly for my students (particularly one graduating student who I think might gain some insight into our relationship over the last few years), and partly, as always, for myself.*

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2020 in review

At Whitman, like at many other institutions of higher education, faculty submit an annual activity report. Why? As with annual reviews in any profession, it’s a prod to reflection and self-evaluation. We don’t work closely with our nominal boss, the Dean of the College, so it serves to inform her of our workload and accomplishments. She uses this information to determine raises for the following academic year. (Not that I expect there will be raises this year—except, I hope, promotion raises for those who are so entitled.)

I’ve never been moved to blog about my annual activity report before. It’s a routine chore. But this activity report, post-sabbatical and mid-pandemic, left me thinking, “Wow, I got a lot done last year!” That’s despite spending 2 1/2 months at home with my toddler, and despite spending much of the fall semester feeling completely feckless. I think my 2020 activity report tells a story about the nature of faculty work and the mood of 2020. Continue reading