Students test coding, innovation skills at 24-hour competition with $1,000 prize

Nearly 60 JMU students will be pulling an all-nighter Friday as they put their computer programming skills to the test in pursuit of a $1,000 first prize at the inaugural MadHack competiton.

The hackathon—sponsored by CapitalOne and JMU's Career and Academic Planning; 4-VA; Center for Entrepreneurship; and Technology Innovation—will run from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday on the second floor of the Ice House at 127 W. Bruce St. Teams of one to four students will have 24 hours to create the most innovative web, mobile or hardware applications they can. The competitors will be given a theme for the competition when it begins.

The event is about much more than coding, said Denise Rudolph, assistant director of employer relations and recruiting services for CAP. "This is an event that provides students with the opportunities to put learning into action while exercising their entrepreneurial muscles in a space that lends itself to collaboration and creativity while engaging with industry experts.  MADHack is an event reflecting the JMU model of the engaged university bringing students, faculty, administrators and industry together in an innovative space."

Coding experience is not required to participate. Workshops will be conducted during the competition and staff will be available to assist students who have little to no coding experience. The event will also feature free food and giveaways. The hackathon will conclude with an award ceremony from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 20.

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