At each DataFest opening night, a recurring sentiment from our alumni has been, “I wish there were a moment for us to gather and catch up.” In response, we introduced an alumni mixer following the opening ceremony—a tradition that has quickly become a valued component of DataFest weekend. This event not only allows us to warmly welcome alumni back to campus, but also serves as an opportunity to share departmental updates, foster continued engagement, and celebrate the strong sense of community that DataFest cultivates.
As we marked the 15th anniversary of DataFest this year, we were especially proud to invite students from our very first cohort in 2011. We were honored to host Alvard (Allie) Ayrapetyan and Ali Hashemian, early participants who went on to win DataFest in 2012. Events like this underscore the lasting impact of experiential learning initiatives and the enduring connections they foster. We are excited to continue building on this tradition in the years ahead.
–Rob Gould, DataFest Founder
–Linda Zanontian, DataFest Director