Category Archives: 2020 Conference

SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Introductions – Dan Herrick

This article is part of a series introducing the SIGUCS 2020 Conference Committee. Each Committee member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

Dan Herrick, IT Asset Manager at University of Colorado – Boulder, is the Executive Committee / SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Liaison.

Dan Herrick

How many SIGUCCS conferences have you attended?
10

Which previous SIGUCCS conference was your favorite, and why?
I have too many favorites! Some highlights: My first SIGUCCS conference (fall 2005), because I was introduced to this fabulous community and couldn’t wait to get back; my first SIGUCCS presentation at a conference (fall 2009), because it inspired me to challenge myself and share my experiences with my peers; my first conference as a conference committee member (fall 2017), because it gratified me to give back to the conference and elevated my level of participation. And, of course, the last one I attended (fall 2019), because it’s fresh in my mind and the experience just seems to get better each time!

How did you get involved as a volunteer in SIGUCCS?
I recognized that becoming part of the volunteer team helped me expand my networking reach, improve my organizational and planning skills, and gave me greater insight into what the SIGUCCS community values. Plus, I loved giving back a little something to the community that helps me grow!

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of (personal or work-related)?
I’ll never forget the first major presentation I gave, which was at SIGUCCS 2009. It felt like I’d reached the next level to be accepted as a presenter. Before my presentation, I worried that I wouldn’t do it right, that no one would come, that it wouldn’t be interesting. As I walked into the room (late!), I saw that the room was full and even overflowing into the hallway. They’d all come to listen to ME. That was when I felt the flash of pride and humility at the same time: I was proud that they were there for my presentation, and humbled because I knew I was just one of them, doing my best to teach what I had learned.

You can always stop and talk to me about …
Personal productivity topics of all sorts, life hacks, science (especially cognition and eusocial superorganisms), and coffee.

For fun, I like to …
I love to explore new places, learn new things, and discover the depths in people. At conferences, you’ll find me doing all these things. I love tabletop gaming (all kinds, but not Monopoly). The art of coffee enjoyment. (I’ll happily demo a pourover coffee technique!)

SIGUCCS 2020 San Diego… what kind of hot sauce do you put on your tacos?
Depends on the taco; I go for complementary seasoning, not heat. Cholula and sriracha are among my faves.

SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Committee Introductions – Tom Wilk

This article is part of a series introducing the SIGUCS 2020 Conference Committee. Each Committee member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

Tom Wilk

Tom Wilk, PC Engineering Manager for Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, is a SIGUCCS 2020 Program Co-Chair.

How many SIGUCCS conferences have you attended?
2

Continue reading SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Committee Introductions – Tom Wilk

SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Introductions – Eric Handler

This article is part of a series introducing the SIGUCS 2020 Conference Committee. Each Committee member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

Eric Handler

Eric Handler, Academic Information Associate at Macalester College, is a SIGUCCS 2020 Program Co-Chair.

How many SIGUCCS conferences have you attended?
5

Which previous SIGUCCS conference was your favorite, and why?
How can I choose? There have been so many great conferences in recent years. I presented (a poster) for the first time in Seattle, I got to have an amazing meal with Laurie Fox and others overlooking the bay and it was my second trip to Seattle that calendar year so it reminds me of all the different opportunities and experiences SIGUCCS has in store for me and everyone else. Similar experiences in Denver (let’s not talk about the Wednesday morning though) and New Orleans are also highlights.

How did you get involved as a volunteer in SIGUCCS?
At my first SIGUCCS I took advantage of the hospitality suite to meet new people and made enough suggestions of new games that I was asked if I’d like to be the suite host the next year.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of (personal or work-related)?
I’ve lost over one hundred pounds since October 2018. Now the hard part is being able to say I’ve kept it off for a year, 3 years, etc.

You can always stop and talk to me about …
Board and Card games. One of my favorite memories regarding games is when a fellow SIGUCCS attendee asked if I knew what game started with T and has hexagonal tiles. It only took a few extra clarifications before I identified Terra Mystica (and check out Gaia Project if you’d like to play the same game but IN SPACE!).

For fun, I like to …
Play board games, card games and tennis. I’ve been on a bit of an exercise kick the last year and a half so if I’m forced to sit still on an airplane I’ll read through a good sci-fi book in a flash!

SIGUCCS 2020 San Diego… what kind of hot sauce do you put on your tacos?
Something with citrus and vinegar, with a nice kick, but not overwhelming. I’m currently a big fan of Tia Lupita out of San Fransisco.

SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Introductions – Melissa Doernte

This article is part of a series introducing the SIGUCS 2020 Conference Committee. Each Committee member submitted answers to questions created by the SIGUCCS Marketing Committee.

Melissa Doernte

Melissa Doernte, Service Desk Manager of Learning Environments at Standford University, is the SIGUCCS 2020 Conference Treasurer.

How many SIGUCCS conferences have you attended?
8

Which previous SIGUCCS conference was your favorite, and why?
Salt Lake City – I still remember the plenary speakers and use some of the lessons learned from them today.

How did you get involved as a volunteer in SIGUCCS?
Since I lived in Chicago at the time and SIGUCCS was going to be there in 2013, I was roped in by Allan and Lisa to be the local arrangements chair.

What’s an accomplishment that you are especially proud of (personal or work-related)?
Proud of where I am in life, happy with a good job, friends around the country and family.

You can always stop and talk to me about …
Chicken wings and football. I love eating some good chicken wings and I grew up watching University of Michigan football – I could talk about it allllll day.

For fun, I like to …
I love traveling but if I can’t get away, hanging out with friends and going wine tasting is always high on my list.

SIGUCCS 2020 San Diego… what kind of hot sauce do you put on your tacos?
Tapatio