Writer(s): Molly Walker

Purdue CS News: The Purdue University Board of Trustees ratified several faculty appointments and passed resolutions of appreciation at its most recent meeting. Among these, Professor Eugene H. Spafford was named a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in recognition of his exceptional impact on the field.

The title of Distinguished Professor is one of the highest honors conferred by Purdue University and acknowledges faculty who have achieved exceptional recognition for their accomplishments in their fields.

Spafford has long been a cornerstone of Purdue’s Department of Computer Science and an influential voice in cybersecurity and computing, globally. His appointment to Distinguished Professor honors decades of research, leadership, and service to the academic and professional computing fields.

A pioneer in cybersecurity, Spafford has contributed foundational work in systems security, cybercrime, and policy, and is especially known for his advocacy for ethical computing and responsible innovation. He founded the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary cybersecurity research centers.

Spafford’s work has earned numerous accolades, including the Harold F. Tipton Lifetime Achievement Award from (ISC)², the IFIP Kristian Beckman Award, fellow status with the ACM, IEEE, AAAS, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Distinguished Fellow of the ISSA. He has advised government agencies, private sector organizations, and academic bodies on issues of computing, and national and global security.  In 2012, Spafford received Purdue’s Morrill Award, the highest honor the university confers upon a member of its faculty.  In 2016, he was awarded Indiana’s highest state honor by being named a Sagamore of the Wabash. He has also been inducted into the Cybersecurity Hall of Fame.

“Professor Spafford’s appointment as a Distinguished Professor is an extremely well-deserved recognition of his profound and lasting impact on cybersecurity research and education,” said Petros Drineas, Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science.

“His visionary leadership in shaping cybersecurity policy, his dedication to mentoring the next generation of leaders, and his commitment to advancing ethical standards in computing embody the spirit of excellence that has defined our department since its founding as the nation’s first computer science department.”

Spafford has also been a committed mentor and educator throughout his career, guiding countless students who have gone on to lead in academia, industry, and government. His legacy is visible not only in his scholarly contributions, but in the robust culture of integrity and public service he has fostered within the computing community.

About the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University

Founded in 1962, the Department of Computer Science was created to be an innovative base of knowledge in the emerging field of computing as the first degree-awarding program in the United States. The department continues to advance the computer science industry through research. U.S. News & World Report ranks the department No. 8 in computer engineering and No. 16 overall in undergraduate and graduate computer science. Additionally, the program is ranked No. 6 in cybersecurity, No. 8 in software engineering, No. 13 in systems, No. 15 in programming languages and data analytics, and No. 18 in theory. Graduates of the program are able to solve complex and challenging problems in many fields. Our consistent success in an ever-changing landscape is reflected in the record undergraduate enrollment, increased faculty hiring, innovative research projects, and the creation of new academic programs. The increasing centrality of computer science in society, academic disciplines and new research activities — centered around foundations and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as natural language processing, human computer interaction, vision, and robotics, as well as systems and security — are the future focus of the department. Learn more at cs.purdue.edu.