David Janzen an asset to Bethel

By Jacob Larson

Since 1997, Bethel College has had the privilege of a rising Computer Science program. And we have David Janzen, Associate Professor of Computer Science, to thank for this.

Before becoming a part of the Bethel faculty, David and his wife Karen attended Tabor College, and afterwards he worked at the Sprint Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. Before beginning his work with Sprint he spent six months with Tabor's "Harvest Crew," a traveling music and drama group with whom David was a drummer and also did some singing and acting.

Now David's free time is employed with different interests.

"I play with Thomas the Tank Engine." David is, of course, referring to his two young sons Alex and Simon. "As a family, we like to do a little camping, biking, or walking. We also enjoy traveling". The last major vacation the Janzen's have had was a two-week business-related trip to Paris in 1997 before he was hired at Bethel.

David has made much progress for the Computer Science program since his arrival. One of his major accomplishments is the Bethel Software Training (BeST), an online group of short classes with computer-related curriculums. Sometimes people who already have degrees in the Computer Sciences take these courses to freshen up their computer skills. Information about the BeST program can be found at the www.bethelks.edu/best/ website.

Janzen is also in the midst of writing a major proposal for a Computer Science major at Bethel. It is estimated that 10% of all information technology jobs are currently unfilled in the working world. Computer Science-related jobs also average a generous 11% yearly pay increase compared the 3% average yearly increase in other job fields.

"There are jobs galore," said David, "and they are extremely good-paying jobs. Computer Sciences have a very promising future right now".

This approaching fall semester the Janzen family will be living in California as his wife Karen will be choir director at Fresno Pacific University for a while. "We'll be happy to spend time with Karen's family in California too," added Janzen, "We also love the beach". Before his one-semester sabbatical David will be teaching summer courses through the BeST program. Those interested should feel free to visit the website and contact David at extension 259 for any questions.

David Janzen is a comfortable person to be around, and Bethel will be looking forward to have him back this coming spring semester to continue his pursuit of a growing Computer Science program at Bethel College.