Marion, Ind. (Nov. 4, 2026) — In just three days, four students from IWU’s School of STEM turned an idea into a working AI app, a full website and a business plan.
Maddie Seitz, Collin Kreitzer, John Clark and Joshua Yin competed in the Gloo AI Hackathon in Boulder, Colorado, Oct. 6–8. Under the guidance of Dr. Joshua Nwokeji, the team built Evergreen, an AI-based web application that helps older Christians stay connected to the Word when reading, moving, or remembering becomes difficult.
Their work earned a place in the finals. Out of more than 120 teams, the IWU group finished in the top 28.
How Evergreen works
Evergreen keeps things simple. Large buttons give users easy access to:
- Scripture read aloud
- Study guides
- Hymns tied to Scripture
- Biblical games and cognitive exercises
Users start by tapping how they feel. From there, Gloo AI picks a verse reference, with the verse text drawn from YouVersion, plus four related hymns, prayers or games.
Evergreen curates content. It never writes Scripture, prayers, or teaching.
The team also built the app with safety and reliability in mind. No personal data is sent, and every pick is checked against the app’s catalog. If AI is unavailable, a non-AI fallback keeps Evergreen working.
More than a competition
Along with the app, the students built a full website and business plan. They also came home with valuable hackathon experience, from building on a tight deadline to working as a team toward one goal.
For John Clark, the team itself stood out. “It was the first time I’ve been part of a group where everyone was committed to the mission,” he said.
He also gained a new view of where faith and technology meet. “I learned a lot about how Christians are utilizing the ever-expanding technology of AI,” Clark said.
Evergreen began as a three-day challenge in Boulder. The students left with a finalist finish, a working product and a clear picture of what their skills can do: help people stay close to the Word when it becomes hardest to reach.
