SRU Good News for Sept. 25, 2007 

Computer honor makes SRU's Francis Hensler knight 

At the recent 35th birthday of IBM's VM (virtual machine) operating system, Francis J. Hensler, a software support specialist in Slippery Rock University's Office of Administrative Information Systems and Technology, was inducted as a companion of the Order of Knights of VM and is now appropriately addressed as "Sir Fran of the Rock."

           Hensler was one of 18 individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to developing computer systems. "It has been an exciting and interesting process," said Hensler who is credited with bringing computer technology to The Rock and then directing development of computer operations. 

           Forty-four years ago, Hensler introduced IBM punch card data processing and tabulating equipment to what was then Slippery Rock State College. In 1968, the college took delivery of its first computer, an IBM System 360 Model 30 with 32K (kilobytes) of memory and 14.5 megabytes of disk storage. Hensler converted all of the tabulating applications to the computer. Today the University operates a mainframe system with 2 gigabytes of memory.

            In 1972, six CRT display terminals were purchased. Hensler designed an on-line student registration system still in use today under the RockTalk nameplate. For the first on-line registration all six terminals were set up in the University Union. It took three days to register 5,897 students for fall semester. 

            Initially, students in computing courses punched their programming assignments into cards. That system was in place until 1975 when the Interactive Job Submission system was implemented by Hensler. The new system allowed input and printing via DECwriters at a speed of 110 bps (bits per second).

            In 1985, SRU acquired an IBM 4361 computer with 12 megabytes of memory and Hensler tailored the VM/SP Release 3 for student use of WATFIV, WATBOL, Pascal, C, Lisp, SPSS, ADA and Assist. Two years later, Modula-2 was brought online.

            The 1990 connection to BITNET allowed e-mail and file transfer capabilities across campus and with other universities. The acquisition of an IBM 9221 computer with 96 megabytes of memory in 1992 connected SRU to the Internet.

            With BITNET came LISTSERV, an e-mail discussion lists system, allowing Hensler to subscribe and begin assisting and learning from other VM'ers. The combined list of contributions resulted in Hensler being dubbed "Sir Fran of the Rock."

            Hensler received the SRU President's Award for Outstanding Service in 1994. 

            Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania's premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.  

Editor's Note: The successes of our friends and colleagues at the University are something we should all celebrate. ..and share. The University Public Relations Office has introduced a daily E-feature to share a good news story about a person, program, activity or service associated with Slippery Rock University. When good news happens to you, please let us know so we might share it with others. Submit items through campus e-mail to: GoodNews@sru.edu -- 

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