Hendrix team
takes top honor at ICPC-style competition
Participants in the inaugural HCPC, held March 30, 2024 (photo by Kendra Baldwin)
ICPC CONWAY, Ark. (April 11, 2024) —
Hendrix College recently hosted its inaugural Hendrix College Programming Contest.
The in-person, International Collegiate
Programming Contest (ICPC)-style competition was co-sponsored by Acxiom
Corporation, Hendrix, and Kattis. Teams of up to three students competed to
solve as many programming challenges as possible during the five-hour contest.
A team from Hendrix won the contest,
successfully solving 9 out of 12 problems during the allotted time. The team
included Matthew Kalahiki ’24, Katherine Reid ’25, and Colin Phillips ’26, who
also did well at the ICPC regional
contest in Fort Smith earlier this semester.
Second and third place went to two
teams from Harding University that solved 5 and 4 problems, respectively.
The contest’s goal was to develop
students’ teamwork, programming skills, and the kind of algorithmic thinking
and problem-solving that will truly set them apart in academia and industry,
according to Dr. Brent Yorgey, an associate professor of mathematics and
computer science at Hendrix, who helped organize the program and served as
contest director.
“The contest was very successful with
15 teams participating, which is a great size to start off with, and we look
forward to an even bigger contest next year,” said Yorgey. “Everyone seemed
like they were having fun and engaged, and every team solved at least one
problem correctly.
“I’m proud of what we achieved with the
contest and hope it will help spur more engagement with competitive programming
in Arkansas and in our region more broadly,” Yorgey added.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is
featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You
Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts
colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career
preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors
compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the
United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” —Hendrix College Statement of Purpose