Information Systems Students Are Top Competitors at National Conference

Marriott School information systems students recently placed at a national competition and technology conference. The students placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in a Java programming contest and 3rd and 4th place in a database design contest during the National Collegiate Conference (NCC) in Omaha, Neb.

The six Marriott School students were part of six hundred attending the NCC. During the three-day conference, the students participated in events from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. “It was definitely a packed schedule, but I thought we were well prepared and able to show other colleges that our program is competitive,” says Kurt Kirkam, a senior from Pittsburg, Texas.

The Association of Information Technology Professionals hosted the competition—the only one focused on the information systems discipline. Each individual competition lasted four hours and highlighted specific skills such as Java programming and web page design.

“The competition included students from universities and technical colleges, which typically teach specific applications in a hands-on style. We teach concepts and personal skills and expect our students to teach themselves detailed technologies out of class,” explains Robert Jackson, assistant professor of information systems and one of two faculty advisors. “Since the competition focused on specific tasks within applications, which we don’t directly teach, we were extremely pleased that our students placed so highly.”

Students placing in the competition were Sherman Beus, from Benton City, Wash.; Robert Turner, from Lehi, Utah; Shaun Smith, from Hattiesburg, Miss.; Brandon Camp, from Katy, Texas; Sean Wilson, from Boise, Idaho; and Kirkham. Conan Albrecht, an assistant professor of information systems, also advised the students.

In addition to the conference and competition, students could also sit for a series of certification exams. All Marriott School students who sat for a certification exam passed. Certification is important to many employers as it demonstrates critical knowledge and skill mastery.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.

NCC Competition Results

Writer: Emily Smurthwaite (801) 422-1152