History of Technology Implementation at Thomas College

To look at where we are heading, it is often useful to see where we have been. Over the past two decades, Thomas has increasingly depended on information technologies to provide the best education and customer service. Listed below are some of the milestones in information technology use on campus.

1970

Mr. David Thombs hired as Professor of Mathematics.

1974

Dr. Joseph Bergin hired as Professor of Mathematics.

1976

Dr. Bergin and Mr. Thombs started academic and administrative computing at Thomas College.
purchased PDP-11
Conrad Ayotte (Chairman, Thomas College Board of Trustees) was one of the first computing students.

1979

purchased first video terminal

1982

purchased Digital VAX 11/750
original computer center built
CIS major started

1983

Dr. John Goulet hired as Professor of Mathematics.
had 6 terminals (vt100s, one graphic vt125)
purchased 2 Macintosh 128k computers
purchased first PC, a Compaq portable
purchased Heathkit Hero I robot
CIS/MBA major started

1985

Dr. John Goulet promoted to Computer Center Director.

1987

purchased 16 Leading Edge 8086 PCs/Proprinters for PC lab

1988

The first full-time computer services employee, Christopher Rhoda, was hired as a programmer/analyst after creating administrative systems part-time for the college for three years as an undergraduate student. His first full-time charge was to create an admissions information system to help increase enrollment.
purchased 2nd 11/750, 2 120MB drives, printer & terminals
in order to move administrative users to separate system
first LAN is created between the 2 systems

1989

purchased second 16 Leading Edge 8086 PCs/Proprinters for
PC lab

1990

purchased two MicroVAX 3400s, one MicroVAX 3100, seven
terminals servers, etc.
first building wide LAN

1991

purchased MicroVAX II for IS students to learn UNIX
purchased 386 PCs for PC lab
purchased Pathworks to add PCs to LAN

1993

purchased 13 486s PCs, presentation panel, furniture for a
25 station PC lab (486/386 combination)

1994

wired all dormitory rooms with voice, data, and video lines
connected to the Internet
purchased network CD-ROM server
purchased eight 486 PCs for second PC lab
added dormitory terminal lab
first building to building LAN connection

1995

added network capability to GPH dormitory room
adding Gigabit capable network hub for LAN
upgraded MicroVAX 3400 servers to VAX 4000 servers
purchased 20 486 PCs for first PC lab and homework lab
use previous lab 386 PC for IS students to learn UNIX
purchased 486 PC server for IS students to learn Windows NT/
Novell
creates partnership with MINT for Waterville Internet POP

1996

connected to MINT/SCTV 10Mbs Central Maine Network
added video conferencing capabilities over Internet
Windows NT server, TERRIER1 purchased

1997

all faculty & student accounts become Windows NT based instead of OpenVMS based
fiber added between major buildings on campus
A 2nd Windows NT server, TERRIER2 purchased, the academic VAX is unplugged
All faculty offices, students labs, and the majority of staff offices are PC-based

1998

Infrastructure budget approved by the board for regular maintenance of hardware and software
50% of COBOL administrative information system converted to web-based system
Network backbone speeds increased to 100Mbps and strategic switches added
A new phone system is purchased to handle additional load of student dormitory rooms and for Y2K compliance
Two new computer-related majors are created, Computer Management and Software Development
Intranet and Extranet completed, Internet router upgraded to 100Mbps

1999

All dormitory rooms are provided DID telephone numbers, voice-mail, two 10Mbps computer connections, in addition to 55+ channels of cable TV for one low residential technology fee.

2000

Streaming audio/video capabilities added.
Third computer lab added with 24 thin-clients.
Storage server added for disk-based backups and software distribution.
Campus card system added to bring pictures IDs in-house.
Wireless data network added to classrooms.
Added data/voice/video systems to new Auditorium.

2001

Wireless network infrastructure added to academic, administrative, and general student areas. Portable wireless computer lab added.
Instructional technology focus by adding LCD projectors, TV/DVD/VCR units and laptops for faculty and adding terminals to all classrooms.

2002

Internet access upgrade to two T1s (3mb).
Started replacing 15 inch monitors with 17 inch monitors.
New access card system for GPH halls. Firewall/proxy/packet shaper server added to network.
Disaster recovery plans formalized.

2003

GPH & Village res. hall data networks upgraded to 10/100 switches.
All 15 inch monitors replaced with 17 inch monitors.
Computer workstations were integrated into the library and IT Services moved into the Library.
Laptop, digital music, and cell phone discount purchase plans were created for students.

2005

Administration building data network upgraded to 10/100 switches.
Phone system and voice-mail systems upgraded to support links to email/web/IP phones.
Power-over-ethernet (PoE) added to admin. building.
Subscription-based firewall/IPS security device added to network.
Added data/voice/video systems to new Alfond Athletics Center.
Internet access upgrade to three T1s (4.5mb).

2006

Phone system upgraded to support SIP trunking, additional IP phones, and unified communications.
VoIP phones installed to replace digital phones.
Live Communications Server with Public IM and phone system connection installed.
Library and IT Services departments partnered to create Information Services.
Windows-based smart-phones added with activesync to Exchange e-mail, calendar, and contacts.
Added Windows Live @ EDU e-mail (@alumni.thomas.edu) and other services for Alumni.
New thin-clients now support USB drives.
Outsourced e-mail anti-virus and anti-spam to Exchange Hosted Services.
Social security numbers removed from most databases.

2007

Internet T3 expanded to 20Mbs, burstable to 45Mbs.
Campus-wide student room telephone services removed since most prefer to use cell phones. A few students continue to rent phone services.
Office Communications Server used campus-wide.
Live Meeting Server introduced for online/blended classes.
CRT monitors now being replaced with LCD monitors.
Switched from Symantec to ForeFront for anti-virus software.
Software upgrades included Windows Vista, OS X 10.4, and Office 2007.
Added cart of 12 MacBooks for education classes in room 205.
Emergency notification plans formalized.