Illinois Technology Association Fall Challenge Reveals Top Collegiate Programmers in the Midwest; Connects Them With Chicago Tech

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Oct 29, 2013) - Fifty of the brightest and most talented technology students from 10 Midwestern colleges and universities convened in Chicago October 24-25 to compete in the Illinois Technology Association (ITA)'s Fall Challenge programming skills tournament. Fall Challenge winner Chase Geigle of The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign took home top honors and an award of $5,000. Second place and $2,500 went to Kevin Wang of The University of Chicago, and third place and $1,000 went to Tristan Rasmussen of The University of Chicago.

The Fall Challenge sees undergraduate and graduate students compete for cash prizes and bragging rights as one of the region's top collegiate programmers. At the same time, it introduces students to the business community in Chicago at a networking event where they can meet, interview and connect with local businesses looking to hire tech talent.

Fall Challenge events began in September as more than 500 college students participated in individual events at their schools. The top 50 finishers traveled to Chicago where they underwent a challenging non-language specific, object oriented programming and algorithm aptitude exam to determine the winners.

"The ITA created the Fall Challenge as a bridge to directly connect top collegiate talent with the Chicago technology community," said Lauren Sheridan, ITA senior manager, talent programs. "It is exciting to watch these brilliant minds solve complex algorithmic problems and introduce promising students to the businesses and individuals that make up Chicago's vibrant technology community. The Fall Challenge has proven itself as an effective way to address the talent gap by encouraging these outstanding students to choose Illinois as a place to establish their careers and lives."

The colleges and universities taking part in the 2013 ITA Fall Challenge were:

1. Illinois Institute of Technology
2. University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
3. University of Illinois - Chicago
4. University of Chicago
5. Indiana University - Bloomington
6. Northern Illinois University
7. Northwestern University
8. Purdue University
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
10. DePaul University

The ITA Fall Challenge is supported by industry, community and academic leaders charged with developing an ongoing conversation among civic organizations, government and education to support the vibrant technology community. Participation is limited to ITA member companies and is sponsorship based. The 2013 Fall Challenge supporting sponsors are ADP, Adsensa, Backstop, Corptax, HERE North America, kCura, OptionMonster, SAVO Group, and United Airlines. For information on the ITA Fall Challenge, please visit www.itafallchallenge.com.

About ITA

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) powers tech growth in Illinois. ITA's programs, services and strategic consulting drive our dynamic industry through work that grows, elevates and builds the talent of our members. By leveraging the connections and expertise of our more than 600 member companies representing a workforce that is 50,000 strong and growing, ITA provides the ecosystem growing technology companies need to succeed. For more information, visit www.illinoistech.org, follow the ITA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/itabuzz, and view the ITA's Facebook profile at www.facebook.com/illinoistechnology.