From the pen of Fred Levy current Director of Academic Computing:

(Fred has added an important part of AIB history and added names of others who have contributed to the success of AIB. He also corrected his title.)

Thank you, Fred.

Academic Computing was born out of the Design Department in 1989 with the introduction of desktop computing on the MacIntosh.  AIB’s goal was to create computer labs that design students could use to create work digitally.  The first director was Nancy Jo Haselbacher (1989-1998).  She served as director creating computer labs that not only supported the design program but all departments at AIB initiated emphasis on student focus; not admin computing.  In 1998, Maryann O’Toole (1998 - 2006) took over as director and worked with the merger of AIB with Lesley University.  Under her guidance, Academic Computing expanded it’s roll in supporting all areas of technology at AIB.  Working closely with all departments, O’Toole worked with the Lesley UT program to standardise the upgrades of all classrooms. She helped in the process of wiring the entire building and introduce Wireless access to AIB. O’Toole was also involved with iComp classes that offered ½ credit classes based around technology and software.   In 2006, Fred Levy took over as Director of Academic Computing.  Levy started at AIB in 1998 as a part time Lab Manager and grew the labs from 3 to 5 plus added Laptops for student use.  Levy was responsible for creating the Animation lab manager with the help of the Animation department.  His interaction between AIB departments, and UT has created three unique areas for student production.  The digital printing lab is dedicated to digital output using commercial grade printers that allow students to print up to 44in wide prints.  The Video/Animation lab is dedicated to video production and 3D animation using programs like Maya, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, and After Effects.  General teaching labs have been standardised to allow students to walk in, sit down and work without any log-in impediments to slow down their process. In 2006, 215 (700 Beacon St.) was converted into the first “smart classroom” where a projector and podium was installed to allow faculty and student could present work projected on the wall.  As of 2012, Nine classrooms have been upgraded for digital presentation.  In 2009, the first public display was installed in the second floor to present time based work.  We now have 1 screen in the student gallery at 601 and 2 at 700, second floor.


Other Staff that have come through Academic Computing:
Matt Nash: Part time Digital printing specialist: Matt worked to create and standardise the digital printing classroom. Set up print servers, research best practices, and create standards that all students can work with.
Cordula Peters: An undergrad students started as a work study student. She became a ½ time employee in grad program, implemented standards for many iComp classes that she taught.
Richard Phung: Lab Technician.  Took over after Fred Levy as the manager of the day to day running of technology at AIB.  He continued in creating help sheets, organized student workers, and created online support within AIB using our servers.
Atha Demopoulos: Lab Technician. Took over after Richard and left in 2013.
That position no longer exists.