Honoring 25 Years of Service: Matthew Rice, Network and Systems Engineer in LITS
Matthew Rice, a network and systems engineer in Library and Information Technology Services (LITS), is one of five staff members celebrating their 25th year at the College. In his Staff Spotlight, Rice discusses his career path at Bryn Mawr and reflects on his favorite memories and milestones.
Were you always in the position/department you are in now? If not, can you talk about your path to get here?
In 1998, I took a position in the physics department at Bryn Mawr College. I really enjoyed lecturing and working with students, but I found that my research was moving to computer simulations and I found I spent much of my time troubleshooting hardware and software. I really enjoyed this, and soon found myself doing pro bono computer support for physics and other science departments.
In 2004, I had the chance to join the systems group in Computer Services (LITS did not yet exist) and jumped at it with open arms. I started out supporting the computer science and other science departments, but when LITS was created, and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008 caused a staff shortage, I was fully integrated into the systems group, taking on many more roles, such as responsibility for the Tri-Co servers.
Do you have any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of?
My initial project was planning, developing, and implementing automated installs for the computer science Linux and Windows labs. Many tools that we use today to manage large-scale deployments were only in their infancy back then. I have always found working with new and ambitious software tools very exciting.
More recently, I am proud of my VMWare (virtualization) builds for, first, the Tri-Co and, later, the college production systems. I am looking forward to a new challenge if we decide to move from VMWare to another virtualization solution.
Was there anyone you worked with who inspired or mentored you?
I don't wish to embarrass anyone, but David Bertagni was a great mentor when I was a computer admin novice.
Currently, Vince Patone is a great boss. In all honesty, though, I really like working closely with all members of the current systems group. All members work together well, and this great work environment inspires me. I also work closely with others from all over the college - science faculty, Web, EAST, AIS, Tri-Co, Desktop, etc.- and get inspiration from all these people, too.
What are some of the significant milestones or changes you've witnessed during your tenure?
I am about to meet my fourth president (and if you add Mary Pat—my first official Bryn Mawr event was her going away party—that's five of the ten presidents! I really have been here a long time).
Libraries and Computing being united under the LITS banner was a big move. I am still confused by librarians: the way they think and talk. For systems people, an archive is something you never want to touch; for librarians, it is their day-to-day bread and butter.
I cannot recall when LITS was born. I think it was around 2008, which was also a milestone in a bad way. The GFC really hit Computer Services hard with personnel losses which really forced us to be a lithe and nimble department.
Can you share a favorite BMC memory from your time working here so far?
Probably a new faculty lunch in the Cloisters in 1998. Looking back, that was the first time my (now) wife and I met.
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for staff new to the College?
All of BMC is like a big family: students, faculty, administration, and staff. Try to fit in, but also make your mark.
What are your interests outside of work? What's something that most people at the College wouldn't know about you?
Swimming and tennis are my main sporting hobbies. I like going to movies, and will sometimes see two or three in a day. I don't hide it, but people at BMC probably don't know that I follow Formula One motor racing. My wife knows that if she gets more than a cup of coffee for breakfast from me on a Sunday it must be August. (That is a deep Euro cut. The F1 races are usually Sunday afternoon in Europe, so Sunday morning here, but in August, when all of Europe goes on vacation, my Sunday mornings are free, enabling me to make a full breakfast).
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