The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine
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October 1992 - Volume 9:2 [Printout | Contents | Search ]
New on PennDataA new database indexing core journals in a wide range of disciplines has recently been added to the Library's PennData service. "WILS" is a composite of five databases produced by the H.W. Wilson Company: Art Index, Humanities Index, Social Sciences Index, Readers' Guide Abstracts, and Applied Science and Technology Index. The files are very current, include book and movie reviews, and provide an interesting mix of journals for interdisciplinary subjects.
Dr. Jeff Seaman leaves PennDr. Jeff Seaman, former Associate Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing and founding Director of the Computing Resource Center, left the University on June 30 to join CCA Consulting, Inc., a Wellesley, MA firm that studies information technology use in education. Known to many readers through his frequent contributions to this newsletter, which he founded and nurtured, Seaman was a key figure in the development of distributed computing at Penn.From 1984 until his departure, the CRC was the main focus of his activities. He developed a comprehensive microcomputing support strategy and guided the development of a support facility that now serves more than 700 users each week. His influence, however, extended far beyond the CRC. He recognized the promise of the Macintosh computer and began to advocate its use long before its success in the marketplace was assured. Today the Macintosh is the computer of choice among students and it coexists with IBM PC/compatibles in academic and administrative offices at Penn. Among his peers he was a powerful spokesman for end users. He brought a user perspective to computing policy committees and to discussions dominated by technical issues. Off campus, he argued for the needs of academic users on national advisory boards sponsored by vendors such as Apple and WordPerfect Corporation. Finally, Seaman succeeded in bringing grants and new technology at extremely favorable prices to campus. The site licenses and volume discounts he negotiated in association with the Computer Connection gave Penn some of the lowest hardware and software prices available at any university. His vigorous pursuit of a partnership with Apple Computer resulted in Project Vanguard, a multiyear, multimillion dollar grant that equipped student labs and provided several Schools with equipment for developing instructional software.
Michael Eleey to join ISCMichael Eleey will join the Office of the Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing to head the Computing Resource Center, the new Academic Computing Services organization, and the ISC Communications Group. Currently the Director of Academic Technology Services for the Wharton School, he will join ISC November 1 as Associate Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing. His appointment comes as the result of a four-month national search.Eleey will work closely with the Schools, the Libraries, administrative offices, ISC advisory groups, and other ISC units to advance the use of computing and related technologies in research, instruction, work group productivity, and communications. Eleey brings over twenty years' experience--including prior positions at the Annenberg School as well as Wharton--as a practicing researcher, academic department administrator, and director of computing activities. Due in large part to his efforts, Wharton has moved into a position of leadership among its peer institutions in the use of technology in academic programs. Eleey has also been active in cooperative efforts by the Schools and ISC to promote the advancement of academic computing at Penn. John Lubin of the Department of Management chaired the search committee, which included Gary Truhlar, Human Resources; Al Shar, School of Medicine; Patricia Renfro, Libraries; Mark Rosenzwieg, Department of Economics; Chris Dennis, Residential Living; Kenneth Lande, Department of Physics; and Robert Kraft, Department of Religious Studies.
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