What follows is a monthly informational newsletter related to the
department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
It contains a student profile plus highlights of some of recent news and upcoming
events.
I hope this information helps you support our departmental mission.
Table of Contents
Recent News and Upcoming Events:
Cayley Pendergrass's Research Published
David Reimann Attends Chairs Workshop
Harold Connamacher Gives Talk at CS1:Denison Workshop
Pendergrass awarded Project NExT Fellowship
Cayley Pendergrass Gives Talk at the University of New Brunswick
Mark Bollman Leads At AP Calculus Reading In Kentucky
Cayley Pendergrass Researches the History of Cryptanalysis in England
Welcome to Nadiya Potsepun
Mark Bollman Reviews Math Doesn't Suck
Welcome to David Anderson
Cayley Pendergrass Participates in Project NExT Workshop
Robert Messer Retires
Fine Arts/Humanities Visitation Day
Homecoming
Pizza and Pamphlets
General Visitation Day
Michigan Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
Colloquium: William Green
Recent News and Upcoming Events
Cayley Pendergrass and co-author John Farina (University of California, San Diego) have published a paper in Communications in Algebra, titled "A Few Properties of Just Infinite Rings. " Rings are fundamental structures in algebra in which elements may be added, subtracted, multiplied, but not necessarily divided. The best example is the integers: a+b will always be an integer when a and b are integers; similarly, ab will also be an integer. However, 5/2 is not an integer. The paper examines what fundamental ring theoretic properties these structures must have if they satisfy the condition of being "just infinite." The full citation is Communications in Algebra, Volume 35, Issue 5, May 2007, pages 1703- 1707.
David Reimann, chair of Albion's Mathematics and Computer Science department, attended a Workshop for Department/Division Chairs sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges and held in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 5-7. The overall workshop theme was "Essential Tools for Leading the Academic Department." Specific Workshop topics included: best practices of experienced chairs, personnel issues, using data for program review, legal issues for departments, and working with the chief academic officer. The workshop provided an excellent forum for peer chairs to discuss academic leadership issues facing similar institutions across the country.
Harold Connamacher gave a talk entitled "DrJava as an IDE for CS1" at the CS1 Workshop for Computer Science Faculty at Denison University. The workshop brought together faculty from several liberal arts colleges across the country to discuss best practices and new ideas for introducing computer science to majors and non-majors.
Cayley Pendergrass was selected as a Project NExT Fellowship. Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is a professional development program for new or recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences. It is designed to address issues of particular importance to new faculty such as: improving the teaching and learning of mathematics, engaging in research and scholarship, and participating in professional activities. It also provides the participants with a network of peers and mentors as they assume these responsibilities. She joins Mark Bollman and Troy VanAken as Albion College Project NExT fellows.
Cayley Pendergrass gave a talk entitled "Stably Just Infinite Rings" at the University of New Brunswick. The talk came just before a workshop on noncommutative geometry, which Cayley duly attended. The workshop brought together leading researchers in algebra, analysis, and theoretical physics to compare each discipline's own interpretation of noncommutative geometry and relevant work. This trip was sponsored by the University of New Brunswick, the Albion College Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and an Albion College Faculty Development Grant.
Mark Bollman served as a Table Leader at the 2007 Advanced Placement Calculus reading, held from June 12-19 in Louisville, Kentucky. As a table leader, Mark was part of a team of two who were jointly responsible for the performance of a room of 14 exam readers. His room contributed, along with 810 college and high school calculus teachers from 47 states, two U.S. territories, and several foreign countries, in scoring nearly 275,000 AB and BC Calculus exams. Mark is in his second year as a TL, following five years of service as a Reader.
Cayley Pendergrass traveled across the pond to interview Alan Turing's assistant from Bletchley Park, Jean Perrin. Bletchley Park was the first clear effort of governments to hire mathematicians to study cryptanalysis. After 50 years of secrecy, the existence of the project, its location, and its successes - including breaking the German Enigma cipher and building the world's first computer - have become declassified. This interview is part of a larger oral history video project in which Cayley would like to include student researchers (please contact her for more information). This trip was funded in part by an Albion College Faculty Development Grant.
Welcome to Dr. Nadiya Potsepun, who is joining Albion College as a visiting assistant professor starting in the Fall of 2007. She is originally from Ukraine, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics Dnipropetrovsk University. She recently completed her doctoral degree in mathematics from the Wayne State University. Her research is in the area of probability and stochastic processes and their applications in describing the long-run behavior of dynamical systems. In addition to her academic life, she was a competitive ballroom dancer for over ten years.
Mark Bollman has published a review of Danica McKellar's Math Doesn't Suck on the Mathematical Association of America's MAA Reviews Web site. This book is intended to promote mathematics among middle school girls. While Mark admits that he has never been a part of that target audience, he nonetheless was impressed by the book, calling it "an imaginative look at middle school mathematics that shows every sign of success in its declared quest to help a reader 'survive middle school math without losing your mind or breaking a nail'".
Welcome to Dr. David Anderson, who is joining the deaprtment as a visiting assistant professor starting in the Fall of 2007. Last year he taught in Albion's Physics department during the 2006-07 academic year. He is originally from the upper midwest, earning his undergraduate degree in physics from Gustavus Adolphus College and his doctoral degree in physics from the College of William and Mary. His research is in the area of theoretical physics, in particular particles and fields. He also has a keen interest in military history.
Cayley Pendergrass traveled to San Jose for her initial workshop as a Leitzel Fellow of Project NExt. Project NExT, developed by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), is a program intended for recent PhDs in mathematics. According to Joe Gallian, President of the MAA, it is a leadership training program for new faculty, readying fellows to play a significant role in the mathematical community. Mark Bollman was also involved in Project NExT in the years following his doctorate. The workshop was held as a part of Mathfest, the annual summer meeting of the MAA. Immediately preceding the workshop, Cayley Pendergrass traveled to San Diego to work with collaborators at the University of California, San Diego. This trip was funded by an Albion College Faculty Development Grant.
Robert Messer has announced his retirement, effective August 31, 2007, and he has been granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees. Bob joined Albion in 1981, after teaching at Vanderbilt University and Dartmouth College. Bob chaired the department for many years and was instrumental in the establishment of our Quantitative Skills Center. Bob has written a textbook on linear algebra, Linear Algebra: Gateway to Mathematics, and a book on topology, Topology Now!, recently published by the Mathematical Association of America. In the next few years, Bob plans on revising his linear algebra text, devloping a website for his topology book, and sitting in on some interesting courses offered by his colleagues at Albion. Congratulations to Bob as he enters this new phase in his life!
September 28:
Prospective students are invited to discover the distinctive features that make Albion College a truly special and exciting place. Professors will be available at the departmental table to talk about classes, majors, undergraduate research, special programs, success of our alumni, and career options. While this visitation day is designed for students interested in the humanities and arts, there are many ways mathematics and computer science extends and enhances these areas. Dutch artist M.C. Escher included many mathematical themes in his art. Albion professor Martha O'Kennon has long been interested in computer translation of natural languages. Albion is a great place to explore these connections. See the admissions Visitation Day page if you are interested.
September 29:
Join us following the homecoming football game for a reception in the newly renovated Palenske Hall. Students, alumni, and friends are invited for light refreshments and fellowship in room 229. See the homecoming schedule for more information.
October 18:
Pizza and Pamphlets is the event where the Mathematics and Computer Science Department provides information about fall courses in Mathematics and Computer Science. All Math majors/minors, Computer Science majors/minors, Math/Physics majors, Math/Econ majors, prospective majors, and friends of the department are invited to join us. This year the event will be held at 3:10 pm in Palenske 227. Bring your friends; bring your questions; bring your schedule. We will also provide pizza and pop!
October 26:
Prospective students are invited to discover the distinctive features that make Albion College a truly special and exciting place. Professors will be available at the departmental table to talk about classes, majors, undergraduate research, special programs, success of our alumni, and career options. Prospective students are encouraged to learn about how mathematics and computer science, in collaboration with other disciplines, will lead many of the technical advances during the 21st century. See the admissions Visitation Day page if you are interested.
October 27:
The 10th annual Michigan Undergraduate Mathematics Conference (MUMC) will be held on Saturday, October 27th, 2007 at Michigan State University. This year's conference will be held jointly with the Midwest Quantitative Biology Conference. The keynote speaker, Michael S. Waterman, will talk on "Mathematics, Computers, and Genomes." All undergraduate students attending the MUMC conference are invited to give 20 minute oral presentations on any area of mathematics, statistics or related discipline. Such areas include undergraduate research projects, interesting class projects, history of mathematics or expository talks on interesting mathematics. All presentations must be registered in advance, no later than 5 P.M. on Monday October 8, 2007. Students intersted in participating should talk with Dr. Reimann.
William Green ( Graduate Student , Mathematics , University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign, IL) will give a talk entitled "An introduction to Harmonic Analysis and Dispersive Estimates for Schrodinger Operators" for our departmental colloquium on September 27.
Our Mission
Through excellence in teaching and advising, our dedicated
faculty prepare students in mathematics and computer science for meaningful
careers, advanced study, and a passion for learning. Individual attention,
small classes, departmental activities, and a
state-of-the-art facility foster a vibrant scholarly community.
Distinguished faculty, active as peer-reviewed scholars, provide students with
innovative teaching
and quality research opportunities.
Our modern curriculum emphasizes modeling, problem
solving, logic, quantitative skills, critical thinking, abstraction, and
rigor. Regular dialog with other disciplines
shapes relevant courses for all students, regardless of major.
Interdisciplinary connections and applications are emphasized in our
courses and in the rich liberal arts tradition of Albion College.
Please feel free to contact me or visit our website
(http://www.albion.edu/mathcs/)
for further details on any of these items.
Sincerely,
David A. Reimann
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
517-629-0426
Welcome to Dr. Nadiya Potsepun, who is joining Albion College as a visiting assistant professor starting in the Fall of 2007. She is originally from Ukraine, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics Dnipropetrovsk University. She recently completed her doctoral degree in mathematics from the Wayne State University. Her research is in the area of probability and stochastic processes and their applications in describing the long-run behavior of dynamical systems. In addition to her academic life, she was a competitive ballroom dancer for over ten years.
Welcome to Dr. David Anderson, who is joining the deaprtment as a visiting assistant professor starting in the Fall of 2007. Last year he taught in Albion's Physics department during the 2006-07 academic year. He is originally from the upper midwest, earning his undergraduate degree in physics from Gustavus Adolphus College and his doctoral degree in physics from the College of William and Mary. His research is in the area of theoretical physics, in particular particles and fields. He also has a keen interest in military history.
Robert Messer has announced his retirement, effective August 31, 2007, and he has been granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees. Bob joined Albion in 1981, after teaching at Vanderbilt University and Dartmouth College. Bob chaired the department for many years and was instrumental in the establishment of our Quantitative Skills Center. Bob has written a textbook on linear algebra, Linear Algebra: Gateway to Mathematics, and a book on topology, 
Pizza and Pamphlets is the event where the Mathematics and Computer Science Department provides information about fall courses in Mathematics and Computer Science. All Math majors/minors, Computer Science majors/minors, Math/Physics majors, Math/Econ majors, prospective majors, and friends of the department are invited to join us. This year the event will be held at 3:10 pm in Palenske 227. Bring your friends; bring your questions; bring your schedule. We will also provide pizza and pop!