He was swamped. More than 1,000 showed up for a presentation at the Peabody Opera House in January. About 500 later enrolled in the course. And at least 250 are still in it, LaunchCode says.

McKelvey said the course is filled with every type of person: fathers laid off from their jobs; mothers who want new skills; sons and daughters tired of the work they do now, and looking to move up.

Anybody could theoretically sign up for CS50 online. LaunchCode’s participation gives them a place to meet, where they can help each other.

McKelvey recently visited Harvard. The course’s main instructor, David Malan, asked McKelvey what the university could do to improve the class. Nothing, McKelvey said. It’s perfect.

“What if we brought our team to St. Louis?” McKelvey said Malan then asked.

“That would make it better,” McKelvey said he replied.

So, Friday, Malan’s team, McKelvey’s staff, local mentors and dozens of hopeful programmers met at T-REx. Pi Pizzeria donated dinner. Kaldi’s gave coffee. Monsanto paid for Harvard’s expenses.