Brij Patel ’25

Sometimes you find your future, and sometimes it finds you. For Knox graduate Brij Patel ’25, it was a little of both. Thanks to family and a little research, Brij found a home at Knox College. Through Knox Professor of Environmental Studies Peter Schwartzman and courses at the College, Brij found an interesting new hobby that could lead to something else—game design.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Schwartzman woke up from a dream about a word game. After jotting down the details, he soon got a few friends to play it over the phone. About two years later, he wrote the code so he could play it on his computer. However, he lacked the skills to make it a game that others could play simultaneously online. Then he found Brij. Together, Schwartzman and Brij teamed up to help bring the Knox professor’s game idea to life—after a year of fine-tuning, their game, Word Medley, is now online at wordmedley.com. 

How did you get involved with Peter Schwartzman and this game?

I knew Peter through Knox, and when he shared his idea for Word Medley, I saw an opportunity to apply my computer science knowledge to a real-world project. He wanted to bring his game idea online so people could play together. I helped develop the multiplayer game, build new features, and solve technical challenges while working closely with Peter. It was rewarding to see people playing and enjoying something we worked on together.

What is Word Medley?

Word Medley challenges players to create words using random letters and a blank that can represent any letter. For example, with the letters A, M, and Z, players could form words like MAZE or MAZY. Players take turns finding words, with each round challenging them to form longer words. The game typically progresses from four-letter to eight-letter words, but players can choose their preferred starting and ending word lengths.

Have you done game design before?

I took a video game design course at Knox, where I learned the basics of game development. Word Medley was my first experience developing a game outside the classroom, and it gave me a chance to apply what I had learned to a real-world project.

Was game design something you wanted to do, or is it something you now want to do?

I hadn't really considered game design before working on Word Medley. The project sparked my interest in building interactive applications and taking on new technical challenges. Seeing people play and enjoy the game was especially rewarding and motivated me to work on more projects like this in the future.

As a transfer student, how did you discover Knox?

I learned about Knox through my family in Galesburg. I also researched Knox and learned about the programs. The trimesters really interested me. Another good thing about Knox is that I was able to complete my undergrad in 1.5 years because Knox recognized credits I already had. 

What was it like being a transfer student?

After coming to Knox, I met my advisor, William & Marilyn Ingersoll Chair in Computer Science David Bunde. He was really helpful in explaining what it meant to be a transfer student. All the computer science professors were really helpful, whether it was with the courses I took or any questions I had. Even after my Knox journey, I'm still in touch with them. 

Were you involved in any activities at Knox?

I worked as an IT lab assistant in Seymour Library. I also worked in the Makerspace when it was brand new. I was a computer science teaching assistant for a few terms. These experiences helped me develop my technical, problem-solving, and communication skills while giving me opportunities to make meaningful connections.

What are you up to now?

I'm pursuing my master's degree in computer science at Illinois State University, where I'm in my second year. I also work as a graduate teaching assistant, helping students with programming, problem-solving, and understanding computer science concepts.

After you get your master's, what is next for you?

After completing my master's degree, I want to apply my computer science knowledge and technical skills to real-world projects. I hope to continue gaining hands-on experience, explore new technologies, and contribute to work that makes a positive impact.