Jon Sorenson
Encyclopedia
Jonathan "Jon" Sorenson (b. 1964, Valparaiso, Indiana
) is an American
academic and educator
and the chair of the computer science department at Butler University
.
. His mother, Norma Acker, was a biology lecturer, and his father, John Sorenson, was a mathematics professor. Sorenson was the oldest of three children, and attended Valparaiso High School
, graduating in 1982. He then attended Valparaiso University
, studying mathematics and computer science, with a minor in physics, and receiving a Bachelor's in 1986. He attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, receiving a Masters degree in computer science in 1987, a Masters in mathematics in 1989, and a Ph.D
in theoretical computer science in 1991.
He began teaching at Butler University
in August 1991, was promoted to tenured professor in 2004, and was appointed chair of the computer science department in 2005. In 2007, he was co-leader on a project to obtain a supercomputer
for the school, entitled "Big Dawg."
's book, The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 2, and many of his other papers have appeared in the ANTS conference proceedings.
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic and educator
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and the chair of the computer science department at Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
.
Biography
Sorenson was born in Indiana, the son of two faculty members at Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
. His mother, Norma Acker, was a biology lecturer, and his father, John Sorenson, was a mathematics professor. Sorenson was the oldest of three children, and attended Valparaiso High School
Valparaiso High School
Valparaiso High School is a public high school in Valparaiso, Indiana. This high school is currently a four star and accredited high school, cited by US News and World Report as a "Best High School 2008". The current principal is Mr...
, graduating in 1982. He then attended Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
, studying mathematics and computer science, with a minor in physics, and receiving a Bachelor's in 1986. He attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, receiving a Masters degree in computer science in 1987, a Masters in mathematics in 1989, and a Ph.D
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in theoretical computer science in 1991.
He began teaching at Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
in August 1991, was promoted to tenured professor in 2004, and was appointed chair of the computer science department in 2005. In 2007, he was co-leader on a project to obtain a supercomputer
Supercomputer
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation.Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling A supercomputer is a...
for the school, entitled "Big Dawg."
Writing
As of 2006, Sorenson has written over three dozen papers. His most well-known one is "Two Fast GCD Algorithms", 1994, which was used as a reference in Donald KnuthDonald Knuth
Donald Ervin Knuth is a computer scientist and Professor Emeritus at Stanford University.He is the author of the seminal multi-volume work The Art of Computer Programming. Knuth has been called the "father" of the analysis of algorithms...
's book, The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 2, and many of his other papers have appeared in the ANTS conference proceedings.