Purdue News

March 13, 1998 Internet pioneer to speak at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Vinton Cerf, widely known as the "father of the Internet," will give a public presentation at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (3/18), in Purdue University's Class of '50 Lecture Hall. Cerf, senior vice president of Internet architecture and engineering for MCI Communications Corp., will talk about "The Internet in the 21st Century." The presentation is sponsored by the Purdue Connectivity Club, a student organization associated with the Department of Computer Technology. Cerf is the co-inventor of the computer networking protocol TCP/IP, the common computer language that made the Internet possible. A recognized expert in Internet development and technologies, Cerf speaks to groups around the world about the Internet. In 1992, he founded the Internet Society, was its president until 1995 and now is on its board of directors. He played a major role in sponsoring the development of Internet-related data packet technologies while with the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency from 1976 to 1982. Cerf is responsible for the development of MCI's Internet network, one of the world's fastest and largest Internet backbones for delivery of a combination of data, information, voice and video for businesses and consumers. Cerf is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the Board of Trustees to Gallaudet University. In 1997, Cerf was appointed to a presidential panel to review the U.S. government's program for the Next Generation Internet. He also was named a co-recipient of the National Medal of Technology with Robert E. Kahn for their joint development of TCP/IP and the Internet. In addition to his work with MCI and the Internet, Cerf is technical consultant for Gene Roddenbury's "Earth: Final Conflict," a syndicated television show. People Magazine named Cerf one of the year's "25 Most Intriguing People" in 1994. CONTACTS: Kenyatte Simuel, Purdue Connectivity Club, (765) 746-5851; e-mail ksimuel@purdue.edu; web, https://www.tech.purdue.edu/cpt/students/conclub/ Jill Hudes, public relations manager, MCI, (212) 519-4279; e-mail, Jill.Hudes@mci.com NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Vinton Cerf will be available for interviews immediately following his presentation. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page