June 9, 2015 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University is pleased to announce the addition of faculty member Dr. David O'Gwynn to the new computer science program, beginning next semester.
“When Belhaven considered reestablishing a computer science program, it was an easy decision to pursue Dr. O'Gwynn,” said Dr. Dennis Watts, Associate Provost. “David brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in computer science. His addition to our science and mathematics faculty will continue to advance the institutions' STEM capabilities and, therein, our students' opportunities for employment in STEM disciplines.”
Dr. O'Gwynn ('99) is returning to his alma mater to take the role of chair and assistant professor of computer science at the University. He worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT Lincoln Laboratory where he was a technical staff member of the Cyber Systems and Operations Group. Dr. O'Gwynn worked on projects dealing with cyber situational awareness and the support of national cyber defense.
“Computer science has changed dramatically from the academic programs of the past,” said Dr. Roger Parrott, President of Belhaven University. “I'm thrilled that our new major will be on the front edge of what students need to get the best jobs in computer software.”
Dr. O'Gwynn received his PhD in computer science from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2011, his M.S. in computational engineering from Mississippi State University in 2003 and his B.S. in mathematics from Belhaven University in 1999. His PhD thesis was on a topological approach to shape analysis and alignment.
From 2005-2011, he worked for the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a teaching and research assistant. In 2003, he worked for Watkins-O'Gwynn Consulting Electrical Engineers as a system administrator. He also worked for Mississippi State University as a research assistant in 2000-2003. His academic articles and research have been included in IEEE High Performance Extreme Computing Conference (HPEC 2012,2013 and 2014), 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, ACM Southeast and Lincoln Laboratory Journal.
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