Ambitious SOIS student wins top prize at local hackathon event

Written by Al Dickenson

Ben Anderson didn’t quite know what to expect from the annual Mitobyte hackathon in downtown Milwaukee. This was one of the UW-Milwaukee junior’s first hackathons, and the first time he participated in one – but what he saw, and what he accomplished, has made a new convert to the networking and project creation event. 

Anderson, along with two teammates, both early career computer professionals, took home the Best in Teamwork prize from the event. Their project was a pachinko machine-style game. 
 
“In hindsight, that might have been a bit ambitious for a workshop lasting only a few hours,” said the Twin Lakes, Wisconsin native. “But that’s what also made it fun.” Anderson mentioned an appreciation for having the experience to work in a variety of other programs and software, including Github, a file sharing platform similar in concept to the Google Office Suite, and both Python and Tkinter, a coding language and its associated graphics library.  

“Personal development is one of the biggest things [for me],” Anderson said. “Getting into that space and having a team and having to accomplish a goal was a very good motivator to try new systems and new frameworks. Learning was the biggest thing for me.”  

As an Information Science and Technology degree student in the School of Information Studies, Anderson expressed a desire to get into the game development world of computer programming. Aside from his work at the hackathon event, he also boasts an impressive portfolio of video game mods and programming tutorial videos.  

Anderson also mentioned an appreciation for nonprofit work, and said he would consider looking into careers for a mission that speaks to him. For instance, his interest was piqued recently by a job at a company that works to clean up the ocean floor. “That would be really cool,” he added.  

What is a hackathon? 

For those new to the computer programing and development industries, a hackathon is an event that draws information technology and science students, professionals, and enthusiasts together to network, workshop, and discuss all things computer related.  

According to J. Dietenberger, an internationally recognized lecturer in UW-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies, participating in hackathons can assist students and developers “by offering hands-on experience, enhancing technical skills, and fostering networking opportunities with industry professionals, funding, and scholarship opportunities.”  

Dietenberger has participated in numerous hackathon events in a variety of capacities, including mentoring the Mitobyte hackathon in October 2024, which Anderson participated in. “Having run, judged, and mentored small to large scale hackathons locally and internationally over a number of decades, I’ve witnessed and facilitated how hackathons prepare college students for coding careers,” he said.  

In addition, “they provide a platform to showcase projects, gain visibility among recruiters, and build valuable connections that can lead to internships or job offers,” Dietenberger said.  

Anderson seconded Dietenberger’s sentiment, pointing out that he has heard of people receiving job offers within minutes of presenting work conducted in hackathons. In this way, Anderson was perhaps most excited about making industry connections, especially early on in his career. Anderson plans to graduate in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science degree, but will be looking for additional hackathon events in the meantime. 

“Ben’s win at this smaller hackathon is a testament to his teamwork skills and coding proficient very early in his career,” Dietenberger said.