Archives: MSIT People News

Professor Alok Choudhary

Alok Choudhary will be the director of the new Ultra Scale Computing and Information Security Center.

Eva Andrea Salas

This is Eva Andrea Salas, newborn daughter to Jennifer and Robert Salas. Jennifer (MSIT Class of 2001) is Executive Consultant for CGI-AMS, Inc. Eva was born on May 22, 2005. She was 8lbs 10oz, and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing fine, but according to Jennifer, it was a tough first day!!

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Eva Andrea Salas to the IT world! We'll see you Eva in class, September 2032!

Professor Aggelos Katsaggelos

Aggelos Katsaggelos was reappointed for a three-year term to the editorial board of the IEEE Proceedings beginning January 1, 2005.

Andrew Gadzinski

Above is Andrew Gadzinski (MSIT '05, second from left) and his sister, Peggy along with several Special Olympics Athletes. Through the generous support of many people, they were able to raise over $235,000 in one evening for the Special Olympics.

Aaron Ballew and Patricia Wardill

Recently Aaron Ballew (MSIT '05), who works for Sprint, hired Patricia Wardill (MSIT '06) into an open consultative engineering position as a result of the posting he put on the MSIT job board!

Per Aaron, "We are very excited to have her, and know that she will quickly become one of our stars. So, congrats to Pat and thank you for providing the job board service to us."

Dan Smereczynski

This is Dan Smereczynski after a Saturday class on his way to a work-sponsored event.
Recently, Dan (MSIT '06) published an article in the May edition of Active Trader. The title of the article is "Linux-Based Disaster Recovery Methods". Click here to read the article.
Also read Dan's article, "Spam Control: A Practical Guide" from the March 2005 edition of Active Trader.

Josh Brookes and Laura Gerard

This is Josh Brookes and his wife Laura Gerard.
Read what Josh writes about their new life together:

My wife's name is Laura Gerard. We've been together for 5 1/2 years. We met in college at Univ of Wisconsin in Madison, but didn't really hang out much back then. We got to know eachother much better after we both moved to Chicago in 1998. We started dating just after New Years 2000. We have been living together in the Ukrainian Village for the last 2 1/2 years. We travelled throughout Brazil, Portugal, and Spain in late 2001 to 2002 for 7 months total.

Our wedding was on Sunday April 10, 2005. She, obviously, is the love of my life. The wedding was beautiful! It was at the South Shore Cultural Center on the South side of Chicago along the lakefront.

Anna Claire Kristoff

This is Anna Claire Kristoff, daughter to John and Laura Kristoff. John is a Network Engineer for Northwestern University IT Network and Telecom; and Laura Grill-Kristoff is also a Network Engineer with NUIT. Anna is John and Laura's first child.

We would also like to congratulate John and Laura on Anna's first birthday. Anna was born March 26, 2004 at 4:01 PM, weighing 7lbs, 14oz, and she was 19.5 inches long.

Congratulations to the proud parents and Happy First Birthday Anna!! With two parents in the IT world and MSIT graduates, we will definitely see you in the future!

Jonathan U Li

This is Jonathan U Li, newborn son to Stephen Li. Stephen is a Sr Software Engineer for Motorola. Jonathan is Stephen and wife, Xiao Liu's first child.

We would also like to congratulate Xiao Liu and Stephen on the birth of their son, Jonathan U Li. Jonathan was born February 12, 2004, weighing 7lbs 13oz.

Stephen tells us, "Jonathan's middle name "U" is from his mother's last name "Liu". His Grandma gave him a nickname in Chinese "MingMing" (Same as Yao Ming). We are still looking for a formal Chinese name for him..."

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Jonathan U Li to the IT world! I'm sure we'll see you in the future!

Steve Langford

Steve Langford, MSIT Class of 2003, is a Technical & Projects Architect for the Federal Reserve Bank. Steve is very active in the MSIT and in his community. He recently played the bagpipes for the Veteran's Day Ceremonies in his hometown.
Click here to read article.

Trinity MeiYan Lee

This is Trinity MeiYan Lee, newborn daughter to Dan Lee. Dan is a IT-Architect Advisory for Bank One. Trinity is Dan and wife, Karen's first child.

We would also like to congratulate Karen and Dan on the birth of their daughter, Trinity MeiYan Lee. Trinity was born September 12, 2003 at 1:52 AM, weighing 7lbs and she is 18.5 inches long.

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Trinity MeiYan Lee to the IT world! I'm sure we'll see you in the future!

Evan James Borella

This is Evan James Borella, newborn son to Mike Borella, PhD, with his older brother Justin. Mike is a member of the MSIT Faculty, and teaches Communications Networks I. Dr. Borella manages the Wireless Systems and Architecture Group at CommWorks Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of 3Com. Evan was born on June 16, 2003. He was 8lbs 14oz, and 19.5 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well, as is Dad and big brother Justin.

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Evan James Borella to the IT world! I'm sure we'll see you Evan and big brother, Justin teaching class in the future!

Karen Ridges & Family

Karen Ridges, MSIT Class of 2003, is a Technology Manager for Motorola. She and her husband, Dan, have a three year old son, Jacob. Dan is very supportive of Karen's studies. He and Jacob joined Karen for the Second and Third Annual MSIT Family Days.

We would also like to congratulate Karen, Dan, and Jacob on the birth of their son/brother, Aidan Jackson Ridges. Aidan was born May 29, 2003 at 8:48 PM, weighing 9lbs 4ozs and he is 22 inches long.

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Aidan Jackson Ridges to the IT world! We'll see you Aidan in class, September 2030! By the way, Karen will be graduating from the MSIT on June 20, 2003, so having a family and studying can co-exist! Above is a recent photo of Aidan.

Lucas Matteo Blake

This is Lucas Matteo Blake, newborn son to Mike Blake. Mike (MSIT Class of 2003) is Director of Finance and IT for Sears. Lucas was born on May 28, 2003. He was 8lbs 4oz, and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing fine, but according to Mike, Dad can use some rest!

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Lucas Matteo Blake to the IT world! We'll see you Lucas in class, September 2030!

Raeba Bonnita Pradhan

This is Raeba Bonnita Pradhan, Raj & Julie Pradhan's daughter. Raj (MSIT Class of 2001) is doing consulting work in the Financial systems area. Raeba was born on April 16, 2003. She was 7lbs, and 20 inches long. Mom, Baby and Proud Dad are doing great as you can see!

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Raeba Bonnita Pradhan to the IT world! Your first MSIT class will be in September 2030!

Stephanie Grace Mayer

This is Stephanie Grace Mayer, Rob & Anita Mayer's daughter. Rob (MSIT Class of 2000) is a Manager, Systems Integration Services for GE Medical Systems. Stephanie was born on January 15, 2003. She was 8lbs 3.6oz., and 19.5 inches long. Mom, Baby and Proud Dad are doing great!

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Stephanie Grace Mayer to the IT world! We'll see you in the MSIT Class of 2031!

Martin & Joanna Widlak

This is Sebastian Andrew Widlak, Martin & Joanna Widlak's son. Martin (MSIT Class of 2004) is a LAN Systems Administrator for Salomon Smith Barney. Sebastian was born on November 24, 2002. He was 7lbs. 10.4oz., and 20.5 inches long. Martin had the weekend off from classes, but came back the following week glowing as a proud Dad would!

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Sebastian Andrew Widlak to the IT world! We'll see you in the MSIT Class of 2030!

William John Gaty

This is "Will" Gaty, Ted & Dorie Gaty's son. Ted (MSIT Class of 2003) is a Sr. Business Systems Analyst for Hewitt. Will is 18 months old, and is currently training for the MSIT. Per Dad, Will's current ambition is to retire by the age of five! Ted gives his wife, Dorie all the credit for this young genius!

Aaron and Joy

Aaron Sherrick, MSIT Class of 2002, is a Network Architecture Analyst for Accenture. He and his wife, Joy, were recently married this past Memorial Day (May 27th).

The couple have known each other on and off for the past 14 years. Originally they met in high school Algebra II class. "We sat next to each other."

In 2000 they met again (for about the 5th time) in a gym in St. Charles, where we both had grown up. "We started talking, afterwards had lunch a few times, then dinner, and everything else took off after that."

Congratulations Aaron and Joy!

Alexander James Kobus

This is Alexander James Kobus, Jane Richardson-Kobus' son, when Alexander was 2 days old. Jane (MSIT Class of 2000) is the CIO for ShowExperience, Inc.. Alexander was born on May 28, 2002. He was 8lbs. 12oz., and 21.5 inches long. Jane says, "Everyone is now at home and doing fine."

Jane had Alexander just 4 days after she delivered the MSIT Class of 2000's class gift. Jane coordinated the ordering and delivering of the class gift during her pregnancy. The class gift is a kinetic sculpture.

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Alexander Kobus to the IT world! We'll see you in the MSIT Class of 2030!

Tristan Lovell Stevens

This is Tristan Lovell Stevens, Craig Stevens' son, when Tristan was 10 days old. Craig (MSIT Class of 2000) is a Implementation/Enablement Manager for AT&T. Tristan was born on March 2, 2002. He was 8lbs. 7oz., and 21 inches long. Craig says, "there is definitely a new 'Ruler' in the household, which moves him down to the third slot!!"

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Tristan Stevens to the IT world! We'll see you in the MSIT Class of 2030!

The Tae Boys

This is William Gun-woong, Ethan, and Christian Tae, Steve Tae's sons, when William was 4 days old. Steve (MSIT Class of 2000) is a Manager for Booz Allen Hamilton. William was born on May 10, 2002. He was 5lbs. 10oz., and 20 inches long. Steve says, "William will be joining his older brothers, Ethan (2 yrs old) and Christian (4.5 yrs old), to make what I am sure will be a great 3-on-3 basketball team some day."

Congratulations to the proud parents and welcome Gun-woong Tae to the IT world! We'll see the Tae boys in the MSIT Classes of 2026, 2028, & 2030!

Joe Nettikaden

Joe and Suneetha have been married since June 24th 2001. Joe traveled to India to meet his wife, Suneetha. Joe graduated from the MSIT in June 2002.