Topplers has awarded the 2014/2015 Domino Award for Computer Science to, among a few others, Will Preachuk of UNL. Founded in 2002, the prize seeks to encourage students to “think big” by seeing how seemingly simple technology advancements in the past have spurred chains of momentum that have added up to significant impacts in modern society and to inspire these students to see the potential they have to make a difference in the world through their future work.
Nationwide over 100 Students from 44 schools participated in this year’s competition. Winning essays honored Richard Stallman, a pioneer in the open source movement, Paul Baran, a pioneer in the development of computer networks, and Barbara Liskov, a professor at MIT whose work designing programming languages led to the development of object oriented programming. The winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to see tech innovation first-hand at the SXSW Interactive festival this coming spring.
“I don't think the essay would've happened if I didn't in someway truly feel inspired,” Preachuk says. “I attribute my success mainly to the opinion of the judges as well as my deep appreciation for Richard Stallman.” His goals for the future include “graduating from the honors program here at UNL with a focus and research into large scale data analytics/ database theory/management and to work in the private sector.” In his free time, Preachuk writes music reviews for the KRNU Blog (krnublog.weebly.com) and plays guitar and sings when his roommate isn't home. As well, he enjoys yoga, coffee and cinema.
After school, Preachuk says, “I plan on using my eduaction to work in the private sector, eventually working my way up to becoming a private contractor in the fields of Database Architecture/Management/Analytics.” Congratulations to Will!