SFA professor emeritus to speak at SFA commencement
August 7, 2009
Dr. Craig Wood
Professor Emeritus Craig Wood will serve as commencement speaker for the Stephen F. Austin State University summer graduation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 in William R. Johnson Coliseum.
Wood was named professor emeritus this spring after devoting 30 years of service to the SFA computer science department, where he has served as professor and department chair.
Wood received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from The College of Wooster, as wells as a Master of Science and Ph.D. in mathematics from Florida State University. Wood joined the SFA computer science faculty in 1979 after previous teaching positions at the University of Houston, Oklahoma State University and Florida State University. He also was a visiting professor of computer science and mathematics at the Universidad De Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela.
During his career, Wood has published numerous books, journal articles, computer software guides and abstracts. He possesses an extensive knowledge of computer programming, which he cultivated in the early days of computer technology, and has shared this knowledge through continuing education workshops, professional development activities and guest-speaking appearances.
While at SFA, Wood received the SFA Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award and has been involved in numerous university committees with responsibilities ranging from making decisions regarding the core curriculum to selecting university chairpersons.
Nearly 500 degrees will be awarded during Saturday's ceremony, including 375 bachelor's degrees, 118 master's degrees and six doctorates. Fifteen students will graduate cum laude, along with 14 magna cum laude and 40 summa cum laude graduates.
Baccalaureate students graduating with perfect 4.0 grade-point-averages include Adrian Cennamo of Shepherd, Janet Douglas of Dallas and Julie Philpott of Lufkin.