Dr. Erik Talvitie, associate professor of computer science at Franklin & Marshall College, will be the commencement speaker on June 9 at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017.

Erik, who graduated from AFS in 2000, received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from Oberlin College. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate in computer science from the University of Michigan.

Asked what he remembered about his days at AFS, Erik didn’t hesitate in his response.

“The thing I remember most is the teachers. I’m a teacher today because of all the inspiring teachers in my life,” he said.

“AFS definitely has a history of attracting wonderful educators and giving them the space they need to be creative, to be responsive, and I think that shows.”

Erik enrolled in AFS in seventh grade. In Upper School, he was a founding member of the school’s ultimate frisbee team. He also remembers having fun juggling with two friends and performing magic tricks.

He and his wife Annie have a son, Max, 4, who received his first magic set as a gift last Christmas.

Erik joined the faculty as an assistant professor of computer science at Franklin & Marshall in 2010.

“I wanted to work at a college that would value excellent teaching and research,” he said.

Erik was awarded a five-year National Science Foundation Career grant in 2016. His research focuses on using reinforcement learning in machines to enable them to use their experience to predict outcomes and make good decisions in a complex environment.

Erik has returned to the AFS campus a few times, and most notably for his 10th alumni class reunion. Asked if there was anything else he would like to say about coming back in June as commencement speaker, Erik responded: “I’m honored to be invited to do this. I’m excited to come back.”