UCA, chamber host programming conference

The computer science department at the University of Central Arkansas recently hosted a computer language conference with help from the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.

Greg Lindstrom is one of the organizers of the Python Artists of Arkansas. Python is a computer programming language. The group held its first conference at UCA on Saturday.

Lindstrom said Dr. Chenyi Hu, head of the computer science department, was eager to help with the conference. The group's primary goal was to get high school students to attend, but a number of advanced users attended as well, Lindstrom said. A total of 57 people attended, he said, about 25 of whom were high school students. The group provided an option on the registration form for the students to receive information from UCA about the school. Hu has already been in contact with 12 or 15 students, Lindstrom said.

The university provided two rooms with stadium seating and laptop computers with all the software needed for the conference as well as an additional room with 24 computers, Lindstrom said.

Also, Dr. Bernard Chen of the computer science department taught a Python 101 tutorial, Lindstrom said.

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Chen said he was impressed by the class' eagerness to learn and ask questions.

"I really enjoyed having that class with those people," he said.

Chen went on, "I would say this was a very successful event," adding he hopes the university will host more conferences in the future.

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce provided funding to help the group meet its operating expenses for its first conference, according to Chad Russell, vice president of operations for the chamber.

"Having a computer programming or software conference in the city of Conway fits the brand of smart, educated workforce and smart, educated students," Russell said. "So the chamber felt like it was a worthy event to invest in, not only for future business but for future students."

Lindstrom said, "We're in a town where we're really trying to develop an image, and it's more than just lip service. They're putting their money where their mouth is."

The conference has attracted attention in the Python community, Lindstrom said. He provided a link to the blog of consultant Dr. John Taber of the Dallas Users Group, who said, "No place in DFW has been that accommodating where tech groups have to pay churches for meeting space. No place in Salt Lake has been that accommodating. Now that the Internet allows small cities to be just as connected as big cities, the cities and universities that are accommodating and recruit tech will be the ones to win out."

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)