Ken Huntsman, co-founder of America Online (AOL) and 1974 Penn State computer science graduate, will be the speaker at the College of Engineering's commencement ceremony at 8 p.m. on May 13, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Penn State and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Tennessee in 1977, Huntsman began his career with Telenet Corp., where he developed Telemail. Later called Sprintmail, it was one of the first commercially successful electronic mail systems. Huntsman eventually became a senior scientist at the firm.

In 1983, Huntsman joined Control Video Corp. to create communications products for Atari VCS. He and a group of co-workers later founded Quantum Computer Services (QCS) in 1985 as Control Video was disbanding.

Later that year, QCS launched its first online service. Four years later, it unveiled a service called America Online, which became the name of the company.

Huntsman held various positions at AOL, including systems programmer and director of systems architecture. His other responsibilities included overseeing the expansion and implementation of the online service as well as monitoring its performance.

Huntsman eventually rose to the position of AOL Fellow and served as a chief technical consultant to the operations group of AOL Networks in Reston, Va., until his retirement in 2007.

In 2006, the College of Engineering awarded him the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the College.

Huntsman and his wife, Marci, currently reside in Clifton, Va.