#MakerMonday ft Ransom Roberson & Mitch Harris
Two best friends who continually Make a Mark
#MakerMonday is back and we’re ready to introduce two talented Makers from the Roanoke — Blacksburg event.
This month we’d like to thank Ransom Roberson and Mitch Harris for their years of participation in our 12-hour Make-a-Thon. Their dedication to serving the local community has directly impacted 3 nonprofits whose newly designed websites and graphics have been seen by thousands in the region.
Collectively, Mitch and Ransom have spent over 60+ hours giving back to the local community and making their mark.
In summary, we’d like to thank all past, present, and future Makers — because of these hard-working, philanthropic individuals like Ransom and Mitch, we’ve delivered over 45 finished projects worth over $100,000!
And, the numbers don’t stop there. With our recent expansion to 4 cities up and down the east coast, we’re continually connecting industry professionals with humanitarian causes and are excited to announce that we are currently accepting applications for our upcoming Make-a-Thon in Chattanooga, TN this September!
Each and every one of us has potential to make a mark, larger than ever imagined, so let’s get out there and shine!
Together, Creating Something Great
Since freshman year, these hall mates have become the best of friends, which is an understatement.
Ransom and Mitch not only work together, but also brainstorm business ideas and volunteer in sync.
Their first collaborative project was our 12-hour Make-a-Thon in 2016.
Meet Mitch!
Originally from Concord, North Carolina, Mitch relocated to Blacksburg to pursue a degree in Industrial Design from Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Design.
His interest in composition and creating viable solutions for imminent problems led himself and two classmates to launch a Kickstarter campaign, in which, they sought funding to supply the market with a new innovative product.
After sketching, prototyping, and lastly manufacturing, Vàs was born.
Vàs is a modular planter, made from sustainable materials, that redefines how we grow plants in urban environments.
Nature doesn’t have to be limited by square footage.
In 30 days, Mitch and his team successfully raised their target of $17,500! Shortly after, they filled every Vàs order and delivered the products to each plant-friendly customer.
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Mitch began to work for a local digital marketing agency, Venveo, located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
As the Lead Designer, Mitch continually expresses his creative side through photography, user interface and experience, web design, and more.
Learn more about Mitch and his experience.
Meet Ransom!
Born in Chicago and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, Ransom, graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech’s School of Engineering. This coffee connoisseur enjoys the complexity of developing programs for desktop or mobile applications and a cup of El Salvadorian coffee; not too fruity, well balanced, with an underlying complexity.
Ransom, also a creative solutions appropriator, developed a popular mobile application during his time at university. This app assisted students when finding empty class rooms throughout the Virginia Tech campus for various purposes, ie studying, group projects, club meetings, etc.
In order the meet the need of the students, he designed an algorithm that would prioritize rooms based on length of availability and delivered the results to the app’s users via text message.
Ransom’s shared passion for development with the surrounding student body lead him to initiate the Virginia Tech Parallel Processing Scientific Computing Club on the Virginia Tech campus. As it turns out, everyone who attended the first club meeting became friends; future meetings were much less formal and consisted of hanging out at a member’s house.
After graduation, he began to work as a Software Engineer for Venveo, where he specializes in web development.
Check out Ransom’s additional experience.
Making Their Mark
In 2015, Mitch’s first year as a Maker, he collaborated with a small team to redesign The Blacksburg Partnership’s Brew Do logo for their annual event.
Brew Do is a craft beer and local food festival that takes place right here in Blacksburg, Virginia! All proceeds benefit The Blacksburg Partnership, a nonprofit that focuses on implementing projects that attract visitors and businesses to the region.
If you love craft beer and can appreciate a good ale, lager, stout, pilsner, cider, or specialty beer, check them out!
In 2016 — Mitch’s second year and Ransom’s first — they worked as a team to design a new logo (#MakerMonday ft Charlotte de Wolfe) and develop a user-focused, website for On Our Own. On Our Own is a nonprofit that promotes recovery by providing a safe, consumer-run alternative for the purpose of socialization, self-help, advocacy, recreation, support, and education.
During this past year’s event, like tradition, they worked as a team to design a logo and develop a new website for the Prevention Council of Roanoke County. This impactful community coalition is committed to promoting the healthy development of the Roanoke County community, with a special emphasis on youth.
The Makers
This philanthropic team continues to participate in our annual Make-a-Thon because they enjoy the challenge of finishing a complete project in just 12 hours.
Mitch described our Make-a-Thon as not just for self-fulfillment but also “an opportunity to flex your skills set and help people who need it.”
Not only do Makers have the opportunity to see the ripple effect their work has on the local community, but are also invited and encouraged to celebrate the day’s success during our networking reception.
Learn More
Here at Make a Mark, we accept professional and student Makers — whether lending skills from years of experience or just beginning, we can all learn together and make a mark.
For more info, subscribe to our newsletter or send us an email hello@letsmakeamark.org.
