Full circle: former computer science chair returns to lead department

Junior Ravi Plath takes a seat in Madsen Center classroom 002 as Marcia Entwistle steps down to the front of the classroom and begins to take attendance, asking each student, “If you could design any sort of security system for any company, what would it be?” 

Plath answers “Olive Garden,” returned with laughter from Entwistle and the class.

“Computer science majors aren’t the biggest yappers ever, but in her classes, everyone is talking, and everyone is friends with each other by the end,” Plath said. “Even now, in [Management Information System II], it has been like a month, and everyone talks to everyone in that class. That is pretty rare for how computer science goes. That is definitely because of the environment she has created.”

Plath praises how Entwistle keeps conversation flowing by leading students to the right conclusions when they are called on and answer wrong. 

“She’ll help you, and you are like, ‘Oh sweet, that wasn’t embarrassing. I understand it better now,’” Plath said.

Entwistle currently teaches classes in information systems for business and computer science. While Entwistle said she will never take a position where she cannot teach, she has stepped up again to lead Augustana’s computer science department as chair.

In her time working at Augustana for the past 34 years, Entwistle has served as chair of computer science and inaugural dean of the school of business. Entwistle’s love of teaching grew through her time working on information systems technology. 

“When I was in the industry,” Entwistle said, “I worked at some small companies where we did everything from the systems analysis to the coding, to the installation and training. I really found joy in the training part.”

Entwistle brings years of accumulated knowledge from working in the field and academic education, having earned an MBA and doctoral degree from the University of South Dakota after receiving her undergraduate degree from Augustana in 1983.

Entwistle said that Augustana’s business and computer science departments “need a mix of people that have done the work and faculty members who are very strong in theory.”

Plath believes Entwistle has both qualities.

“You cannot teach [Information Systems] or [Information Technology] without constantly keeping current,” Loren Koepsell, associate professor of business said.

Koepsell credits Entwistle with staying ahead of the curve and keeping up to date on changing technology like artificial intelligence, coming back from sabbatical last year with a greater depth of knowledge about new technologies, though Entwistle doesn’t see this as the most important part of her teaching.

“We want to make sure [students] have the foundations to grow and change as technology does,” Entwistle said. “If we only equip them for what is current right now, they would have a very short career.”

Entwistle supports students outside the classroom by attending events from basketball games to musicals and brings her passion for students into her role as faculty athletic representative.

“You need someone in this role who enjoys sports, which I do, but really my passion is working with the student athletes,” Entwistle said. 

Entwistle advocates for student-athletes at NCAA meetings and acts as a liaison between Augustana faculty, students and the athletic department.

As chair, Entwistle will continue advocating for students and take a more involved role in helping students find internships or project work.

“My goal is to get to know students really early in their careers, so I can find out where their passion is,” Entwistle said. “Then I can say, who do we know and what courses do you need to get there?”

Entwistle credits her ability to connect students with opportunities to her relationships with students, faculty and industry professionals.

“She has remained well connected in the Sioux Falls community and the larger community,” Koepsell said. “It allows her to stay aware and stay relevant. One of the problems professors face is losing relevance after a period of time. We spend so much time in this office, we kind of miss what is going on out there.”

These connections will also help with hiring new staff as Daniel Steinwand, previous CS department chair, steps back from teaching and returns to writing algorithms. Koepsell said Entwistle has proven recruiting skills, coaxing him back to teaching twice and convincing Steinwand to begin teaching at Augustana.

In 2007, Koepsell left Augustana to work for Lloyd Companies but returned in 2014 at Entwistle’s suggestion. During COVID, online teaching difficulties led Koepsell back to Lloyd, but Entwistle once again convinced Koepsell to return.

“I wouldn’t have come back to work for or with very many people,” Koepsell said. “I was truly retired. I mean I was done. We had needs and some things I thought could help with. She convinced me again.”

Koepsell praised Entwistle’s constant willingness to step up and fill needs at Augustana.

“She really has the interest of the students and the institution ahead of her own,” Koepsell said.  “I wouldn’t say that is rare, but it sure is refreshing when you see it.”