BYU alumnus Chris Chase will speak at the Honored Alumni Lecture for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Chase’s lecture “The Plumbing of the Internet” will cover how internet connection works, what factors create internet traffic, and the technical process of solving internet traffic.
Chase said people often blame their service provider or their computer when Netflix or YouTube stops functioning properly.
“How it gets from your internet server to your computer is complicated,” he said.
Chase hopes his lecture will educate students on the opportunities that await them after graduation.
“High-profile companies and government research institutes are looking for eager people who can work well with others, who can use analytical skills to solve a variety of different problems,” he said.
Chris Chase received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering at BYU in 1987. He still remembers one of his professors in the Department of Mathematics who made a positive impact on him.
“Wayne Barrett was a fantastic guy. He loved teaching. He loved the subject matters he taught. He loved helping students, always had his door open, and always wanted to help others,” Chase said.
Chase went on to Princeton University to get his master’s and PhD degrees. He now works as a lead system engineer and is a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Labs. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Austin, Texas with their four children. Chase also teaches early-morning seminary for high school students.
“BYU’s emphasis on scholarship, coupled and balanced with high moral and religious principles, has had a tremendous impact on my higher education and professional career. I learned that a balanced life brings more satisfaction and joy in work and family life,” he said.
Chase will speak Thursday, October 13, 2016 in 1170 TMCB from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.