#OneNetChampions: Stephen Wheat, Ph.D.
Oral Roberts University
Professor of Computer Science, Director of ORU Research Computing and Analytics Facility
How long have you worked for your organization?
Four years, as of January 2022.
Describe what you do on an everyday basis.
As a professor, I instruct core courses in our undergraduate and graduate computer science programs. I am an undergraduate computer science advisor as well as the graduate computer science advisor. Managing ORU’s Research Computing and Analytics (ORCA) facility’s resources involves care and feeding of the system plus helping users to accomplish their goals. It also includes continuous efforts to receive funding to expand the ORCA capabilities.
How long has your organization been a OneNet customer?
Since 2019, when we were awarded a National Science Foundation Campus Cyberinfrastructure award to join the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (OFFN), along with Cameron University and East Central University.
How does high-speed internet help your organization serve your community?
The 100Gbps connection to OFFN and Internet2 is fundamental to serving ORCA users based at other institutions. Data transfers to support supercomputer workflows is critical to keeping the ORCA resources utilization high.
Why are you a OneNet champion?
I’m passionate about Oklahoma being a leader in high-performance computing (HPC) access/utilization; championing OneNet to potential users is one of the paths to extending our own service to the community for HPC cycles.
What would you tell others about OneNet?
I know OneNet’s people, and the people are great. They are dedicated to providing top-quality service in a timely manner. Nothing has suffered for lack of attention. Everyone I work with at OneNet is an expert in multiple areas, and they willingly share their expertise. Even with challenging issues, the OneNet people have been team players, very kind in their interactions, and generous of their time. Anyone with network connectivity challenges to the outside world would find OneNet capable of addressing their challenges.