# Lawrence Joseph Henschen

> Ph.D. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1971

**Wikidata**: [Q102144987](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102144987)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lawrence-joseph-henschen

## Summary
Lawrence Joseph Henschen was an American computer scientist and university professor who spent his career at Northwestern University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1971 under Donald B. Gillies and became a professor emeritus at Northwestern.

## Biography
- Born: October 11, 1944, in Joliet, Illinois
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1971
- Known for: Computer science research and education at Northwestern University
- Employer(s): Northwestern University (1971-2023)
- Field(s): Computer science, computer engineering

## Contributions
Lawrence Joseph Henschen was a computer science professor at Northwestern University for over five decades, where he conducted research and taught generations of students. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1971 under the supervision of Donald B. Gillies, a pioneer in computer science. At Northwestern, Henschen supervised multiple doctoral students including Robert Charles Neveln, Robert Arthur Alps, Mark John Franzen, Cyril S. Ku, Mike Evangelist, and Adnan Yahya. His academic work contributed to the field of computer science through both research and the mentorship of future computer scientists. Henschen's career spanned the critical period of computer science development from the 1970s through the 2010s.

## FAQs
### Q: Where did Lawrence Joseph Henschen earn his Ph.D.?
A: He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1971.

### Q: Who was Lawrence Joseph Henschen's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was Donald B. Gillies, a Canadian mathematician and computer scientist.

### Q: What was Lawrence Joseph Henschen's primary occupation?
A: He was a university professor and computer scientist at Northwestern University.

## Why They Matter
Lawrence Joseph Henschen contributed to the field of computer science through his long tenure as an educator and researcher at Northwestern University. His work helped train multiple generations of computer scientists who went on to make their own contributions to the field. As a doctoral advisor, he mentored students who became professors and researchers themselves, extending his influence through their work. His career spanned a transformative period in computer science, from the early days of the field through its establishment as a fundamental discipline in modern technology.

## Notable For
- Professor emeritus at Northwestern University
- Ph.D. graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1971)
- Supervised six doctoral students who became computer scientists
- Mentored under Donald B. Gillies, a pioneer in computer science
- Career spanning over 50 years in computer science education

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Lawrence Joseph Henschen was born on October 11, 1944, in Joliet, Illinois. He pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing his Ph.D. in 1971 under the supervision of Donald B. Gillies.

### Academic Career
Henschen joined Northwestern University in 1971 and remained there for his entire professional career. He became a professor emeritus, indicating his long-standing and distinguished service to the institution. His work at Northwestern spanned over five decades, during which he conducted research and taught computer science.

### Research and Mentorship
As a computer scientist, Henschen supervised six doctoral students who completed their Ph.D. degrees under his guidance: Robert Charles Neveln, Robert Arthur Alps, Mark John Franzen, Cyril S. Ku, Mike Evangelist, and Adnan Yahya. These students went on to careers in academia and research, extending Henschen's influence in the field.

### Later Life and Legacy
Henschen passed away on January 8, 2023, at Evanston Hospital due to heart failure. His death was reported as resulting from natural causes. Throughout his career, he contributed to the development of computer science as both a discipline and an academic field, helping to establish Northwestern University's reputation in computer science education.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.evanstonfuneral.com/obituary/Lawrence-Henschen)
2. [Source](https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2023/01/professor-emeritus-lawrence-henschen-passes-away/)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project