Woz takes up ‘Innovator in Residence’ post at High Point University

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InnovatorInResidence_Outlines
Apple's co-founder has a new role.
Photo: High Point University

Compared to his Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak has always seemed more of a bumbling academic type: the sort who would much rather be getting his fingers dirty in research labs than flying in a shiny Gulfstream jet to negotiate new iTunes terms with a music label.

Which is why Woz would appear to be a perfect fit for his newly-announced role as North Carolina-based private liberal art college High Point University’s latest “Innovator in Residence.”

What’s the betting that theses dedicated to why the Apple II was the best computer ever suddenly get a major boost in numbers?

Woz during a previous appearance on campus.
Woz during a previous appearance on campus.
Photo: High Point University

All in all seriousness, though, it’s a great opportunity to get some coaching from one of the tech industry’s most well-known figures. Although 65-year-old Wozniak is best known (obviously) for his 1976-1985 full-time stint at Apple, he’s also worked as an adviser to other tech companies, as well as being a regular speaker about mobile technologies and the future of computing.

“I talk about HPU everywhere I go,” Wozniak said. “Their focus on student development is second to none. And their leadership is dedicated to the personal and professional development of their students. How they deliver it is truly innovative.”

The term “Innovator in Residence” is slightly misleading, since Woz won’t actually live on campus, but he will visit every year — and will also be available to digitally answer students’ questions on projects, business ideas and more.

That’s not the only thing Woz has done lately, either. He was also a guest on the most recent episode of Conan, where he passionately defended Apple’s pro-privacy position in its current standoff with the FBI — concerning whether or not Apple should create a backdoor to its iPhones. Check out the clip below:

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