Sam Jantz is not an easy person to track down.

The three times The University News contacted him for an interview, he was rushing to class or to the gym. Between double-majoring in computer engineering and computer science and his job with Information Technology Services, this Saint Louis University senior is always a man on the go.

The St. Louis native (for all those who are inevitably wondering, he attended McCluer High in Florissant) definitely has a knack for computers. His double major makes Jantz very knowledgeable in all aspects of the machines.

“Computer engineering [has to do with] hardware and how it works together,” he said. “Computer science is writing software to go on that existing hardware architecture.”

Jantz has worked for ITS for more than three years, and has worn all sorts of different hats inside the group, including answering questions for the technology support team. Jantz’s computing skills greatly pay off for him in this position.
“You push one button and it’s fixed for them, and they’re as happy as can be,” he said.

After three years with ITS, Jantz has plenty of advice to offer:
“Keep backups of all your important stuff, and keep it on a flash drive or a hard drive, because you never know what’s going to happen, and sometimes computers just die,” he said.

This year, the computer buff has been working with ITS’ Advanced Technology group, which focuses on research computing.

“Basically, we study how to make a group of computers achieve one task and achieve it well,” Jantz said.

Regardless of his amount technical skill, Jantz said he isn’t the stereotypical computer geek.

“Actually, I would rather be playing guitar or talking to friends than playing on the computer,” Jantz said. “I would say I actually have social skills!”

In his spare time, he is often at the gym or hanging out with his friends, although he says he’s not a big partier.

“Being out and doing things isn’t as important as who I am doing things with, he said.”

Still, Jantz says he can’t escape all of the geek stereotypes, and he will be the first to admit it.

“I enjoy playing video games on Friday nights with friends,” he said. “Preference always goes to Super Smash Bros. or Guitar Hero.”

So if you need computer help, real guitar or Guitar Hero lessons or video game advice, Jantz is your man.