For DonorsFor Applicants

Kyle Lam Hacker Scholarship

Funded by
$6,575
1 winner$6,575
Open
Application Deadline
Nov 15, 2024
Winners Announced
Dec 15, 2024
Education Level
Undergraduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
Undergraduate student

Kyle Lam was an amazing person, someone who cared deeply for his friends and coworkers, and also a gifted software developer.

He was an understated presence but he radiated a bright energy that fueled his passion for technology. Kyle's genius, driven by his innate curiosity and creativity, delighted everyone he worked with. He was always open to treading new paths and frequently surprised his colleagues with a solution to a problem nobody else thought about. It was never about what couldn’t be done, but more about inventing new ways to solve problems. Kyle was so enthusiastic about technology, he kept on the bleeding edge of everything and often would talk about (or bring in) the latest and greatest gadgets. Then, he would try to build something new based on that gadget. His hacker spirit won industry awards in advertising for the creative experiences he built for people, often pushing the limits of devices and platforms. Kyle never let these successes go to his head; he always carried himself with grace and humility. He was a mentor to many and always available to lend a helping hand.

Kyle Lam passed away on June 30, 2022. To honor Kyle's memory, Infillion is creating a scholarship to support a student that upholds the “hacker spirit” and ethos of curiosity, experimentation and generosity – which Kyle lived so fully.

Any undergraduate student who is in a technical field of study may apply for this scholarship,

To apply, tell us about a time you’ve delighted others with your hacking/tinkering skills.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published June 12, 2024
Essay Topic

Tell us about a time you’ve delighted others with your hacking/tinkering skills.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Sophia Anderson
Northeastern UniversityMission Hill, MA
I love building/creating, especially when it's to solve a problem. It's part of the reason I have a special interest in engineering, and I hope to be able to do some level of engineering along with research through my physics degree. When thinking about all the things I've built, one, in particular, reminds me of what was written here about Kyle Lam and the "hacker" spirit he carried. My dad is extremely into barbequing. He will spend an entire day cooking dinner if he has time, making sure the smoker has the right type of chips, the marinating or dry rub is just right, and most importantly: that the temperature stays perfect. He has a thermometer that senses the temperature of the meat and the inside of the smoker and controls a fan to moderate it based on that. He wanted to be able to watch it all day though, and it's quite heavy and an odd shape. Plus the counter near the grill is always covered in food and other stuff he wouldn't want to get on it. He came to me asking how he could keep the thermometer in an easy-to-see, but safe place, and I set to work. The first thing I did was take a contour gauge out to the countertop; it wasn't just a squared-off edge, so I had to carefully trace its shape onto a piece of paper. I scanned that shape onto my computer and through CAD (3d design) software, I recreated the outline of the counter. I also took measurements of the thermometer and modeled a holder that could sit on the counter. Due to the weight of the thermometer being farther back, it wouldn't slide off. Careful to select a filament that wouldn't get damaged by rainwater (I knew my dad would forget to put it away), I 3d printed my holder. It took a few tries, the first ones didn't slide onto the counter as easily as I would have hoped, and one even snapped in half in trying to force it on. Eventually, I printed one that easily slid on, and gave it to my dad. He loves it and has one more tool in his BBQing toolbox (yes, that's a thing he has...). I know this isn't that big of a creation or even something that many people could use, but I think it embodies that hacker spirit. It was a fun thing to make to a very unique problem and getting to give my dad something that makes it slightly easier to enjoy his hobby made me happy. I also think it shows how many of life's smaller problems can be solved by technology. Of course, we should focus on the bigger issues that worry humanity, but we shouldn't forget that this technology (like 3d printing) can also be used for everyday nuisances to make our lives just a little bit easier.
Arisa Chue
Stanford UniversitySpringfield, VA

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Nov 15, 2024. Winners will be announced on Dec 15, 2024.