Pre-conference Workshop:
Building A Wireless Campus & Community

Robert E. Griffin, Michael Shanafelt & Kent Tonkin, Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) at Saint Francis University; and George Pyo, Saint Francis University

fullDayWkshp

Description:

Colleges and universities are rushing to create wireless computer networks. As many have found, installing the first wireless access point is simple. Installing every access point beyond that becomes increasingly complex because of overlapping frequencies, network security and an assortment of other problems. For the last 3 years CERMUSA at Saint Francis University has been involved in a research project to build a wireless campus. The campus operates both an 802.11a and b network and boasts of a completely wireless campus. This workshop will discuss the following aspects of the Wireless Campus Prototype:

• Wireless equipment in use today with hands-on demonstrations;
• Creating a wireless computer network connection using 3 different methods of installation;
• Securing a wireless network; The session will make use of a wireless computer laboratory. A book titled, Building the Wireless Campus, will be provided free to participants in this course.

Presenter Bio(s):

Robert E. Griffin has served as the Assistant Director for Distance Learning for the Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) at Saint Francis University Since June 1999. As Assistant Director, he is in charge of CERMUSA's distance education program. Bob currently teaches in the Business Administration and Education programs at Saint Francis University. Bob retired from the Smeal College of Business Administration at Penn State University after 26 years of teaching.

George Pyo is the Director of Administrative/Management Information Systems at Saint Francis University. George began working at Saint Francis over 22 years ago, beginning as a mainframe programmer and eventually becoming the Director of Telecommunications. During the mid 1990s, George spearheaded the University’s consolidation of telecommunications and computing services under the single umbrella of Administrative/Management Information Systems. In addition to supporting daily operations of the campus network, telecommunications, and internet communications services, George also plays an active role in the Saint Francis Laptop Initiative. Under this program, all incoming freshmen at Saint Francis University are issued wireless-LAN enabled laptop computers for both in-class and after-class use. The program has been an overwhelming success and is changing the educational model for small universities.

Michael Shanafelt has served as an Information Technology Specialist with CERMUSA since early 2001. He is responsible for investigating new technologies for use with CERMUSA’s distance learning and telemedicine research projects. Michael earned a B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems from Westminster College in 1998 and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration from Saint Francis University.

Kent Tonkin, Assistant Director for Information Technology for Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) at Saint Francis University has worked in close conjunction with the organization since 1995. His primary responsibilities include directing and coordinating technical support for all Telemedicine and Distance Learning prototypes as well as producing solutions to problems created throughout the development of new projects. Throughout his extensive experiences working with CERMUSA he has occupied a number of positions involving a variety of tasks relating to technological development and supervision. Mr. Tonkin obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications/Public Relations from Saint Francis College in 1995 and is presently pursuing a Masters in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from Saint Francis University.