Blockchain Co-Inventor to Speak at Weber State

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics will host the co-inventor of blockchain, W. Scott Stornetta, who will speak to students Jan. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at WSU Davis Building D2 Rooms 110/111 (2750 N. University Park Blvd., Layton). The public is invited to register in advance for the limited seating at this link

Blockchain, which laid the foundation for Bitcoin and other digital currencies, is a database storage technology that collects information in groups with defined capacities, called blocks. Once a block is full, it is irreversibly set in the timeline and then a new block is added, forming a chain. This groundbreaking technology guarantees the accuracy and security of data because it is irreversible, uneditable and independently verified, making it inherently trusted.

Stornetta will take students, business leaders and faculty on a journey from the birth of Blockchain to how this ground-breaking technology is uprooting the basis of business, technology and finance both now and in the future. 

Matt Mouritsen, dean of the Goddard School of Business & Economics, said Stornetta's visit will have a lasting impact on students and the school. “Having Scott Stornetta, the co-inventor of Blockchain, on our campus is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “Not only will learning from Scott enable us to ensure our curriculum is aligned with the most-advanced technological concepts, but also by having him visit one-on-one with students, industry leaders and faculty, we are building connections between curriculum and communities that are invaluable.”

Dating back to 1991, Stornetta’s pioneering series of papers and patents, written with co-author Stuart Haber at Bell Communications Research, received the 1992 Discover Award for Computer Software. 

Stornetta is currently a partner at Yugen Partners, a blockchain and AI-focused venture capital firm and consults for governments on blockchain policy.

Visit weber.edu/goddard for more information about the Goddard School.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Niki Tonks, Goddard School of Business & Economics marketing manager
801-626-7397 • nikitonks@weber.edu

Contact:

Niki Tonks, Goddard School of Business & Economics marketing manager
801-626-7397 • nikitonks@weber.edu

Matt Mouritsen, Goddard School of Business & Economics dean
801-626-8151 • mmouritsen@weber.edu