Concordia’s programming team welcomes new members for 2024-25 academic year

Concordia Nebraska’s programming team is set to return for another year of writing code, solving complex problems and developing as a group. They operate under the leadership of head coach Ian Kollipara ‘23, a Concordia alum and recent addition to the computer science department faculty. Kollipara served as the team’s assistant coach last year, but is stepping up into a higher position this year.  

This fall, the team will be hosting and competing in the Nebraska Tech Builders Challenge, which enables students to attend various programming-related workshops and participate in contests. They will also compete in the ICPC Qualifiers on Oct. 5 and the ICPC Regionals on Nov. 9.  

According to Kollipara, the programming team has several projects in the works this fall outside of these competitions. An intramural management tool involves work from the whole team, but individual members are also taking on their own projects. 

“Many students have taken on individual projects related to cybersecurity, braille e-books, NFC signal readers, video games and much more,” Kollipara said. 

Many students have taken on individual projects related to cybersecurity, braille e-books, NFC signal readers, video games and much more.

New members of the programming team include:  

Heidi Blank, freshman, Las Vegas, Nev. 

Aleksa Chambers, sophomore, Crete, Neb.  

Lawson Fairchild, freshman, Roanoke, Ind. 

Matthew Kruse, freshman, Denver, Colo. 

Paul (PJ) Maestas, freshman, Chico, Calif. 

Noah Niederklein, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. 

Casey Perlinger-Jett, freshman, North Platte, Neb. 

Reagan Zierke, freshman, Johnston, Iowa 

Returning members include:  

Aaron Cumming, junior, Allen, Texas 

Silas Curtis, sophomore, Worden, Ill. 

Isaac Dawson, sophomore, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

Andrew Fynaardt, junior, Oskaloosa, Iowa 

Abe Gomez, sophomore, Alliance, Neb. 

Caden Korell, sophomore, Blair, Neb. 

Ethan L’Heureux, sophomore, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

David Marin, sophomore, Omaha, Neb. 

Aidan Nachi, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb. 

Tytus Woodburn, senior, York, Neb. 

Concordia Nebraska’s programming team is coached by skilled computer science faculty and connects students with a shared passion for programming and technology. Learn more about the team here, or find out about Concordia’s computer science program here.