Eric Ianni took the long road to his role as Instructor at Oregon State. During his first stint at college, Ianni started as a dual major in computer science and history, but graduated with dual degrees in classical studies and history. He went on to teach high school Latin for four years before inexplicably enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a mortarman. Having been medically separated at the rank of corporal, Ianni used his G.I. Bill to go back for a third degree (Eric is vain and his wife had three herself), this time returning to computer science.

During his time as a Beaver, Ianni was a peer tutor and created supplemental materials to help his fellow students. This caught the eye of the powers that be and he was eventually asked to join the instructional team. Meanwhile, Ianni decided he needed a fourth degree (oh so vain) from Georgia Tech and finished his M.S. just in time to be hired as a full time instructor.

Ianni lives on a mountain in Virginia with his wife, daughter, and son. He also shares his home with an ever changing number of animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, and honeybees (the fowl and insects live outside).