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Enclosed is your class newsletter CIS/CT/CP • Spring 2011
Friends University Issue 32 Spring 2011
Campus Connection
CIS/CT/CP
From Your Class Agent Nashalla Roberts nashalla@sbcglobal.net
Did You Know? After 20 years of exceptional service, our President, Dr. Biff Green, has announced his retirement to begin on June 30, 2011. The 13th president should be named in March 2011. The Lady Falcons volunteered their time by giving back to the Wichita Central Branch YMCA by joining their 8th annual Frosty 5k run/walk Jan. 1. The funds go to the YMCA Strong Kids program that helps provide services and scholarships for more than 65,000 kids and adults in the Wichita community. Reporting the loss of our fellow classmates “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” –Mahatma Gandhi. Kevin D. Whittaker, G’98, and Eric Olson, G’01, both passed away in May 2009. Jean Troyer, G’03, passed away in September 2010. Let’s discuss “hot CIS topics.” According to Ask Yahoo!, an easy way to find out what languages and skills are popular now is by scoping job descriptions as they will list requirements. Another source recommends looking at websites for new or upcoming releases from programming text book publishers like O’Reilly or the Pragmatic Programmers. Also, Computer World is forecasting that individuals must be adaptable to keep their job and that IT departments will be populated with “versatilists” or individuals who possess a techie background combined with knowing the business inside and
out. Project management and application development skills will also be a must in 2011. Another source indicated that multi-core programming will increase using languages like Erlang, and developing software for mobile platforms like Google’s Android project will grow. Trivia Question Winners In my last newsletter, I asked, “What does Laus Deo on top of the George Washington Monument mean?” The answer is “Praise Be to God.” According to Wikipedia’s interpretation of the religion, mortality and education section of Washington’s first inaugural address, “religious principles promote the protection of property, reputation, and life that are the foundations of justice. Washington goes so far as to say that the nation’s morality cannot be maintained without religion and, since morality is necessary in popularly elected governments, religion is vital in maintaining the popularly elected government of the United States.” Our thanks to Tracey McNeely, G’99, and to Cindi Kerr, G’05, who both e-mailed me with correct answers. For this newsletter's trivia question: If you know what a shark “yummy hum” is, e-mail me your answer and win a prize.
Nashalla Roberts, G’02