Beyond the Office: More than just ones and zeroes
IT Services has been up to many things so far in 2026, and not all of them take place behind the keyboard. Let's check it out!
Beyond the Office: More than just ones and zeroes
In IT Services, we lurk behind our keyboards, but we also like to spend time with one another, engage with the university community, and learn from each other.
At the beginning of 2026, there’s a lot going on in IT Services—and not all behind the computer screen.
Readying the Talon Cluster for deployment
You may recall from our feature piece in November that we’re working on a big project in the data center to bring online a new high-performance computing cluster. The Talon Cluster is nearing completion, and we followed Chris Edester, manager of enterprise database and systems operations, and Festus Ojo, application software developer, on a tour of the new space.
The hardware is nearly all installed, and the cooling system is working perfectly. The containment area can be accessed by sliding glass doors that help enclose the cool air. The network infrastructure services team, led by Mike Ritcher, coordinated the cooling and containment installation. Mike and his team continue to be essential in getting the additional quantum-related components installed, as well. Data center and networking administrators are working on getting the final pieces in place to bring the cluster online! It’s an exciting time.
IT and Chili: Heating up Hoyt Hall in 2026
This past Tuesday, IT Services once again came together to celebrate friendship, camaraderie, and love of food with the eighth annual IT Services Chili Cook-off.
The competition was fierce, the spice level elevated, and the entertainment supreme. Six challengers (IT foodies) entered the ring (the Hoyt second-floor breakroom) to battle for glory (the traveling golden-ladle trophy) and acclaim (yeah, just that… acclaim).
We are excited to announce that information security analyst Patrick Hawk was the winner (for the third year running!), meaning we’ll be sending him to the university-wide competition in March! Check out our full writeup of the event.
From Farm Life to IT Services: Lori Minges
Lori Minges is an IT Contract & Vendor Manager here at Miami University. We sat down with her this month to learn more about what she does at Miami and what she gets up to when she’s at home.