November 24, 2014
La Roche College Student Places First in AT&T Smart Tag App Hackathon Competition
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 24, 2014 – Toni Burley, a senior at La Roche
College, was a first-place winner at the 2014 Smart Tag App Hackathon powered
by AT&T.
Produced
by the AT&T Developer Program, the Smart Tag App Hackathon challenged participants
to collaborate and put their development skills to the test by designing and
creating a mobile app. The competition was held at the University of Pittsburgh
from Nov. 7-8 and was open to student developers from surrounding colleges and
universities.
Students
competed for prizes across several categories, and Ms. Burley placed first in
the Best Use of IBM Technologies from a Student Team, receiving $1,000. Other
categories included Best Overall Mobile App, Best Smart Tags App, Best App From
a Student Team, Best App Using IBM Technologies, Best Use of an AT&T API.
“The
biggest challenge of the Hackathon was forming a diverse group that could
commit to the challenge at hand,” Ms. Burley said. “My current high-level
courses at La Roche University prepared me to work in a group dynamic and use
other resources to find valid answers to problems.”
Ms.
Burley, of New Castle, Pa., is an information technology major at La Roche
College. She is a member of Zeta Alpha Pi, the honors chemistry sorority that
promotes the education of science among women of La Roche University.
Irene
Joos, a professor of information systems at La Roche University, said, “Ms. Burley
exemplifies the goals of our program with its emphasis on critical thinking,
problem solving, and learning how to learn about new technologies and skills.
She is a good critical thinker and problem solver who doesn’t hesitate to take
on projects in areas new to her. She is a quick study, especially in the
programming area.”
The
information technology major at La Roche University prepares students for
employment in a wide range of technical, computer-based occupations ranging
from networking to database administration, help desk solution and web
administration. Students in the program learn how to meet the technology needs
of business, government, health care, schools and many other organizations
The
College also hosts a student chapter of the Association of Information
Technology Professionals, providing networking opportunities, technical and
social events, and the opportunity to compete in the AITP National Collegiate
Conference each year.
About La Roche
College: A private liberal arts college in
the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50
undergraduate and five graduate degree programs, with particular strengths in
education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical
sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential
college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women
enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics
program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University
embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and
backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international
exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and
achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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