Professor Wally Roth
Professor Emeritus

Wally and his wife, Marlene, in Germany

Academic Credentials

Post Masters, Ohio State Universtiy, 1962-1965
MA, Ball State University, 1962
BS, Taylor University, 1959

Specialty Area

Computer Ethics, Computer Science Curriculum, Mathematical Computing (Numerical Analysis)

Special Interests

Missions and use of Technology in Missions

Professional Activities

Professor Roth joined the faculty of Taylor in 1967 as the University's first computer science professor, which was at that time an appointment within the Mathematics Department. Simultaneously he served as the University's first director of the newly established Computing Center. In 1973 he co-authored a proposal and chaired a committee that established a $320,000 Eli Lilly Endowment, Inc. Systems Analysis Program at Taylor. The program was one of 34 such grants funded across the U.S. and was the only such program that continued in existance beyond the initial three-year grant program. Nevertheless, the program was successful and has resulted in at least 2000 graduates from Taylor University who graduated with a Systems component to added to their degrees. Professor Roth saw the establishment of the Computer Science and Engineering Department and of the computer science major at Taylor. He served as Chair for the first 17 years of the Department, known first as the Computer Science Department, later as the Information Sciences Department, and eventually as the Computer Science and Engineering Department.

Both the Computer Science Major and the Systems Program are still active at Taylor; In fact, both are premiere, distinctive programs of the University, attracting many of the brightest students.

Officially retired since 1999, Professor Roth continues to be engaged with the Department and with his profession as much as his busy life and health will allow. He has taught Computer Science at Huntington College and participated in several missions trips. He is a founding member of and an active participant in the annual International Conference on Computing in Missions. Current students at Taylor (as of 2007) continue to be inspired by his ongoing contribution to and invested in the Computer Science and Engineering Department.