John Atkins, professor emeritus of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at West Virginia University, has been selected for induction into the Department’s Academy. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 17, in Morgantown.

Atkins earned master’s degrees from WVU in mathematics and computer science in 1967 and 1980, respectively. He served as a professor of computer science for more than 30 years, teaching undergraduate and graduate computer science courses, principally in the area of database design. Atkins’ research included several projects involving Oracle as well as database normalization theory.

He served as principal investigator on a research project to provide support for the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Division and the West Virginia Insurance Commission. Throughout his career, he published more than 30 technical papers, many in collaboration with other Lane Department faculty. He served as a member of and an advisor to many honorary and technical societies and professional organizations.

Later in his career at ManTech International Corporation, Atkins provided specialized expertise and consulting on database architecture, design and development, and database technologies for programs within the Defense Logistics Agency.

During his 30 years with WVU, Atkins received numerous awards and recognition. He earned the Statler College’s outstanding teaching award twice and an outstanding professor award from WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He received both an outstanding teaching award and outstanding service award from the Lane Department, and he received an outstanding advising award from the University Honors Program. He was named outstanding professor by the Sphinx Senior Honorary and Golden Key National Honorary.

The Academy of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering was founded on 1989 to recognize graduates and others who have had distinguished professional careers or who have been of outstanding service to WVU.

-WVU-

mcd/03/24/15

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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