Three computer science alumni of Missouri University of Science and
Technology were inducted as members into the Missouri S&T Academy of
Computer Science during the group’s banquet and induction ceremony in Rolla on
April 17.

The academy honors outstanding computer scientists for their contributions
to the profession and their involvement with Missouri S&T students and
faculty. The academy also serves as an advisory group to the computer science
department.

New members are:

John R. Hock of IBM’s systems and technology group, received a master
of science degree in computer science from Missouri S&T in 1982. He also
holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the
University of Missouri-Columbia. Hock has worked in the computer industry for
40 years, spending the last 25 years in various positions with IBM. His current
responsibilities include support of IBM Power Systems servers and serving as
worldwide technical lead for the IBM Solution Assurance quality practice for
power systems. He serves on the IBM I/T Specialist Professional Certification
Board and has served on the Missouri S&T Computer Science Advisory Board
for 13 years.

Randy Kerns, chief technology officer for ProStor Systems in Boulder,
Colo., received a bachelor of science degree in computer science from Missouri
S&T in 1974. He also holds a master of science degree in engineering
computer science from the University of Colorado. Kerns has spent more than 30
years in the computer industry helping storage companies design and develop
storage systems for their markets and advising technical professionals on
storage infrastructures to streamline their business processes. An educator and
presenter, Kerns has written several industry articles and papers and is the
author of a books titled “Planning a Storage Strategy” and “Information
Archiving – Economics and Compliance.” He teaches classes on storage technology
in the United States and Europe.

Joan Woodard, executive vice president and deputy laboratories
director for Sandia National Laboratories, received a bachelor of science
degree in applied mathematics with an emphasis in computer science in 1973. She
also holds a master of science degree in engineering economic systems from
Stanford University and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of
California-Berkeley. Woodard joined Sandia in 1974 and has held various
positions throughout her career. A member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society,
Woodard has served on numerous external panels and boards, including the Air
Force Scientific Advisory Board, the National Academy of Science’s Study on
Science and Technology for Countering Terrorism and the Secretary of Energy’s
Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Council. At Missouri S&T, Woodard has
served on the Dean’s Board of Visitors for Arts and Sciences, the Dean’s
Advisory Council for the School of Engineering, the campaign organizing
committee and the Missouri S&T Board of Trustees.