Recognitions

B.S. in computer engineering, 1996   Brian Stewart has cultivated a distinguished 26-year career in global payroll and human resources (HR) solutions.  Stewart earned his Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1996. Following graduation, he founded a business in Lexington, utilizing a database he developed to facilitate the electronic transfer of insurance claims from medical offices to insurance companies.  

Xu Tao is a Ph.D. candidate in Department of Computer Science, under the supervision of  Simone Silvestri, Ph.D. She previously worked as a researcher at the LINKS Foundation in Italy from 2018 to 2021, and holds a Master of Science in computer engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, earned in 2018. Her research interest lies in harnessing the potential of Internet of Things, Cyber-Physical System and LPWAN Network to revolutionize smart agriculture.

Anna Workman has been a driving force in UPS's technological evolution, exhibiting leadership and innovation across various business domains within UPS Technology Group since the early 2000’s.

Jesus Caban met University of Kentucky professor Brent Seales in his home of Puerto Rico, and soon after, was interning for him in Lexington, Kentucky. Caban quickly taught himself English and enrolled in UK’s master’s program with Seales as his faculty advisor. He graduated with his master’s degree in computer science from UK in 2005. 

Malgorzata “Margaret” Marek Sturgill is the daughter of University of Kentucky emeritus professor of computer science Victor Marek; however, her interest in computers arrived independently of her father’s profession. While the Marek family was spending a year in Venezuela, a school-wide strike left 15-year-old Margaret with nearly nothing to do. While at her father’s office, she noticed a computer that was ignored by everyone. Her father handed Margaret manuals for the machine, and she took to it instantly and never looked back. 

Billie Sue Chafins has spent over 20 years shipping world-class consumer and enterprise software for large consumer technology companies, with over 15 years of experience building and managing teams. A 1997 UK graduate, Chafins views her computer science degree as the passport to many opportunities she would have otherwise never had. Born and raised in Pike County, Kentucky, she grew up seeing few opportunities for women to pursue professional ambitions and her education altered the course of her life.

If Karen Maxwell’s Delta Zeta sorority sisters couldn’t find her, they intuitively knew where to look: in the University of Kentucky’s computing center at McVey Hall. For her first three years of college, she completed her computer science projects using punch cards and spent many hours in the computer center. She later earned her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 1985.

B.S. in Computer Science, 1986

B.S. in Computer Science, 1990 After serving 19 years in the United States Army, retired Colonel Jackie J. Bryant is now strategic communications officer for the 7th Signal Command of the United States Army. Since 1990, Bryant has played a significant role in all facets of the Army’s communications.

B.S in Computer Science, 1989 Lisa Marie Maxson is the founder and managing partner of 10x People, a company that specializes in software development of products and services as well as training in10x methodology. Since graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1989, Maxson has positioned herself at the forefront of software development for telecommunications systems and created a work culture that is able to market itself as a unique competitive edge.

B.S. in Computer Science, 1991 The son of an Air Force serviceman, John Kyle was born in Michigan, moved to England and spent the largest portion of his youth in Colorado; however, after visiting the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1984—located in a state he had never before visited—he knew he wanted to enroll at UK. A summer spent tinkering with a Texas Instruments computer (TI-99) coupled with a love for mathematics led Mr. Kyle to study computer science.

B.S. in Computer Science, 1973

B.S. in Computer Science, 1985 Before arriving at the University of Kentucky, Beth Weeks had very little exposure to computer science and certainly had never considered it as a viable major or career option. Strong in math, the Horse Cave, Ky., native planned to major in accounting; however, during her freshman year, she added a computer science class to her schedule and was hooked. A new career direction followed.

B.S. in Computer Science, 1982

MS Computer Science 1986 After studying French at the University of Louisville, Joan Herbig realized that her liberal-arts background wouldn’t easily open the door to a career offering all that she wanted – constant change, intellectual challenge and professional risks. However, during one of her first jobs, with an insurance company in Raleigh, North Carolina, she met a co-worker who was building a computer, sparking a life-long interest that has led to a leading role in high-tech companies.

Henderson, Kentucky native John H. Campbell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky in 1969. As an undergraduate, he participated in the UK Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After graduation, he received his commission into the United States Air Force and pursued graduate studies at the University of Kentucky earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 1971.