Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

Does working in academia, as opposed to the private sector, help one to maintain a youthful idealism? Chuck O'Ceallaigh seems to be living proof that it does. Strongly influenced by the student activism of the 1960s, Chuck's lifestyle reflects his strong commitment to public service. Whether by analyzing the most appropriate use of technology in his position as Information Technologist, or considering the best use of town resources as a member of the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board for the town of Barrington, Chuck's well informed and socially conscious choices benefit the communities of which he is a part. He states, "I still believe that by thinking globally and acting locally, we can make our world a better place for all."

A world traveler, avid mountaineer and outdoor enthusiast, father of four, and scholar of Irish history, Chuck has a low threshold for stagnation and boredom, a characteristic that serves him well in the ever-changing and constantly evolving world of technology. In fact, when asked what skills are needed for a position such as his, Chuck replied, "The truth of the matter is that the technology changes so fast and frequently that a continual training regimen is required to be effective in this line of work." He holds Microsoft Certifications for both operating systems and applications. He also takes classes in areas such as Linux, Mac OS X and Cisco Networking Certification. Though the constant demand for new skills would be overwhelming to some, Chuck states that the teamwork amongst the professionals at the Workstation Support Group helps to offset this. Each individual has an area of expertise, and they willingly serve as resources for one another.

His day-to-day work at the CIS Workstation Support Group often involves overseeing and performing software repairs and installations for a wide range of supported products; "We repair existing machines when they break down and we set up most new machines for optimal performance on the campus network." In keeping with his commitment to improving the quality of life for others, Chuck states that what he finds most satisfying about his position is "helping people become less intimidated by machines and technology. Computers are tools or a means to an end. Using them more effectively helps everyone to become more productive in our demanding world."

When asked who or what at UNH has had a positive impact on him, Chuck's response was "The one person that most influenced me was and is George Romoser, faculty emeritus. I first took a class in American Political Thought with George back in the early seventies after I had already dropped out of college several years before. He inspired me with his Socratic teaching style and we have remained friends ever since." He also states, "I have been fortunate to make friends with many faculty and staff members. I find that we all have our individual talents to bring to the forum and by doing so we enrich each other's lives. I find UNH to be a challenging and stimulating place to work."