“One of the goals of the Hack-A-Thon was to bring the GSB and CS students together, giving them a taste of what real world cross functional teams do. Throughout the event, the collaboration was apparent and evidenced in the solutions and presentations. What a great event and experience for the students.”
David Kamp
Chief Technology Officer
The Grossman School of Business buzzed with energy and ingenuity during its second annual Hackathon, a dynamic event that challenged students to push their creative and problem-solving boundaries. With generous support from sponsors including Widewail, David Kamp '90 and Michele Kamp, Chris Higgins ’84 and Susan Marchand Higgins ’85, the Catamount Innovation Fund, the Grossman Case Competition Association, the Society of Women in Computer Science, and CS Crew, the Hackathon proved to be a resounding success.
The driving force behind this exciting initiative was the vision and dedication of alumni David Kamp ’90 and Chris Higgins ’84, who were instrumental in bringing this immersive experience to life. Their commitment to fostering innovation within the Grossman community was evident throughout the event.
Students tackled three distinct prompts, showcasing their diverse skills and collaborative spirit. After intense rounds of ideation and development, the division winners emerged, each presenting compelling solutions.
Prompt 1: Personalized Learning - Make the learning process fun and engaging by creating games to encourage and reward studying.
Division Winners: Jes Bennett, Hannah Deyst, Shiloh Chiu, James Davenport, Rustum Zia, and Beau Willim
Prompt 2: Moving Site - Design a website or app to connect students moving in who might have use for furniture and essentials with students moving out who are looking to sell or offload these items.
Division Winners: Team Bash Pro Shop: Levi Pare, River Bumpas, Caroline Palecek, Christopher Jepson, Surya Malik, and Jordan Bourdeau
Prompt 3: RallyCat's Cupboard - Create an inventory tracking system for this student run on-campus food pantry.
Division Winners: Thomas Hull, Luke Cirne, Amanda Barth, Spenser Kramer, and Bea Millie
The stage was then set for the final showdown, where the division winners presented their solutions to a panel of esteemed judges. Ultimately, Team Bash Pro Shop, comprised of Levi Pare, River Bumpas, Caroline Palecek, Christopher Jepson, Surya Malik, and Jordan Bourdeau, took home the coveted title of Overall Winners. Their innovative solution to Prompt 2 impressed the judges with its creativity, practicality, and potential impact.
The final rankings were as follows:
- First Place: Prompt 2 (Team Bash Pro Shop)
- Second Place: Prompt 3
- Third Place: Prompt 1
Caroline Palecek, a Grossman School of Business student and member of the winning team, highlighted the collaborative spirit and learning experience the hackathon provided.
The Hackathon not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents but also fostered invaluable skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and rapid prototyping. The event’s success is a testament to the thriving entrepreneurial spirit at the Grossman School of Business and the power of collaboration between students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners.
"Business and technology, they are kind of like peanut butter and jelly - they just work together. The Hack-a-thon is all about bringing these two important disciplines together to solve problems in a responsible and safe manner from a people, process, data and technology perspective," celebrated Higgins. "In a world where creativity is the cornerstone, events like this challenge us to ask, 'What problems can we help you solve?' We, collectively, have the talent, let's put it to use. UVM rocks - game on!" Higgins also holds the title as of emeritus board member for the Grossman School of Business.
The Grossman School of Business extends its sincere gratitude to all the sponsors and participants who contributed to the success of the second annual Hackathon. The event stands as a shining example of the school’s commitment to providing students with transformative learning experiences that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that will emerge from next year’s event.
