Devon VanNote '17
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Senior computer science major from Centralia, Illinois
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Created his own social media web application called Glimpse
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Developed own online game studio called Blitzkrieg Games
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Vice President for the McKendree Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery
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Student lab worker for McKendree’s computing department
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Named to the Dean’s List and member of Phi Eta Sigma and Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Societies
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Software Developer Internship with Asynchrony Labs
by Stephanie (Coartney) Dulaney '10
Whether it’s movies, video games, or computers, Devon VanNote '17 has always had a passion for technology. Now a senior computer science student at McKendree, he’s gone from simply enjoying technology to creating it.
It all started his sophomore year when he decided to take an upper-level elective
course in computer graphics. “That class was extremely challenging, but I loved it,”
he said. “It gave me a deeper understanding of how a computing device is able to mathematically
render graphics.” Devon sought additional guidance from two seniors in class, and
the friendship they formed lasted well beyond the semester.
“We all shared an interest in making games in our free time, so we decided to build
something small, like a mobile game, and work our way up to PC and console games over
time.”
Using their knowledge from class and desire to bring their original games to more
people, the three started their own online game studio called Blitzkrieg Games. So
far, they’ve created a mobile game for Android and iOS called Pocket League and are
working to release others. “I always tend to dream big,” Devon said. “I would like
to be one of the first studios to make a full-blown MMORPG (massively multiplayer
online role playing game) in virtual reality. We have a lot to learn before we get
there, but I’m excited for the journey.”
Devon’s McKendree experience gave him the freedom and encouragement to explore working
with other technologies as well. For his senior project, he created a social media
application called Glimpse. The app uses a person’s location to display photographs
others have taken in that same area. Users can also upload their own photos, called
“leaving a piece of yourself behind.”
“The idea struck me when I was in a new city I had never been before, and I wanted
to see what was around me. Google is helpful, but people who are local or have already
visited are much more helpful. By being able to quickly view photos taken around me,
I’m able to identify possible places to hang out and visit.” Devon is excited to make
his creation available to users in the real world, and he’s working on versions for
Android and iOS.
Through his time at McKendree, Devon has learned that the sky is the limit when it
comes to pursuing your passions. After graduation, he has his sights set on a career
in software and user experience development, while also continuing to develop Glimpse
and Blitzkrieg Games. “My overall life goal, however, is to work on something Star
Wars related, whether it’s a movie, video game, or even literature,” he added. Devon
knows that his hands-on experience in the classroom has set him up for success not
only in the computing field, but it’s also given him the tools to bring his dreams
to life.
Learn more about McKendree University and the Division of Computing.
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