Dordt Team Qualifies for National Championship in International Collegiate Programming Contest

A team of three Dordt University students has advanced to the finals of the prestigious North American Championship (NAC) Programming Contest. The team includes senior Jacob Byker and juniors James Kooiman and Paul van Ginkel.

Competing in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) on Saturday, November 9, Dordt's upper-level team solved seven out of twelve problems, placing sixth overall among 87 teams in the North Central North America (NCNA) region.

The NCNA region, which includes universities from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and several other states and provinces, sends the top four teams to the NAC, with only one team allowed from each university. Dordt’s team is one of the four selected to represent the region in the national competition, set to take place in the spring or early summer of 2025.

This marks a significant achievement for Dordt University as they compete alongside top universities from across North America. For example, “Last year, our region was represented by teams from Dakota State University, Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Minnesota – Twin Cities,” says Kari Sandouka, professor of computer science at Dordt.

“Our participating students are pushed to solve complex problems using the algorithmic thinking and data handling techniques they've learned in class,” says Nick Breems, professor of computer science at Dordt. “It also requires collaboration, creativity, persistence, and an ability to perform well under pressure.”

“This event is very intense, as the students have 5-hours to complete 12 programming problems,” adds Sandouka. “It puts students in a place where they don’t often find themselves – the crux of mental and physical fatigue, but also reveling in the fun of problem-solving. It is a unique experience, and a great opportunity for our students.”

“Competing in the regional contest and placing sixth—making us the first team from Dordt to advance to the national level—has been particularly meaningful,” says Kooiman. “Beyond our placement, the joy of tackling challenging technical problems together has been a highlight in itself. Looking ahead to the NAC, our goal is to represent Dordt’s excellence to the best of our ability and to fully embrace this incredible opportunity that God has provided us.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.