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Wade Tandy intends to pursue a graduate degree in computer science. (Photo: Roland Dimaya)

By LiAnna Davis

When junior Wade Tandy took his first class with Dr. Clay Shields in his first year at Georgetown, he was drawn to the professor’s research on computer security and forensics. After taking another class from Dr. Shields, the Computer Science and German double major was ready to participate in that research.

Tandy, Dr. Shields, and fellow student Chris Wacek are currently developing a system to track which computers on a large network have opened which files, even after the files have been deleted. Tandy’s focus in the project is on document search and cataloguing.

“I really like being able to solve a problem that nobody has ever quite tackled in the same way before,” says Tandy. “It isn't like in a class where a professor gives you a problem to solve, even though he or she knows the answer and just wants to see how you do it and that you can do it. None of us know quite how to do it yet, and we have to work together to assemble the knowledge we need to best solve the problem.”

This experience has taught Tandy that he enjoys the research part of computer science—a skill that will be helpful as he pursues graduate work in the discipline. Although he’s still exploring specialties within the field, he has enjoyed working in search systems and artificial intelligence. Whatever he decides to study, he knows his work with Dr. Shields will be helpful.

“I think this kind of experience is great as I start looking forward and head into the real world where the problems are unsolved and the ground is often untested,” Tandy says. “Dr. Shields is a great professor to work for as he encourages creative thinking and gives us enough room to really take the ball and run with it, which I think will prepare me a lot for my future career.”

Tandy’s involvement in the Department of Computer Science also includes being a teaching assistant for two professors. He credits the entire department with fostering his interest in the field, holding special regard for Dr. Shields because of what he has been learning in their current research collaboration.

“The thing I like about working with Dr. Shields on this particular project is that he is very trusting in our abilities,” says Tandy. “He openly admits that this is a learning and a teaching experience for all of us who are involved. While there are some things that he might help us with when we are having problems, we are learning how to do all sorts of new things that he is excited to learn about right alongside us.”

Tandy, who is from Richmond, Kentucky, has also found success as part of Georgetown’s Mock Trial team, qualifying for the national tournament and placing very high in two other national-level tournaments. He’s also actively involved in theater, including directing a Nomadic Theatre production and assisting with sound and light design. Such work gives him a chance to be creative while showcasing his technical skills. He appreciates the opportunity to explore his varied interests at Georgetown.

“The Georgetown Department of Computer Science is a great place to get an undergraduate education,” Tandy says. “Since day one I have been impressed with how invested the faculty are in their students and how much of a personal interest they take in their lives. The small department offers an open and collaborative environment that I wasn't able to find at any other school I visited in my college search. Professors like Dr. Shields make this department what it is and give students like me the chance to follow their passions.”

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