Math at SU

School of the Sciences held its spring poster session this week.  Independent research, senior research capstone and senior internship capstone students are all required to prepare and present a scientific poster summarizing the work they completed during the semester.

Mrs. Vallory Shearer, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, has been granted a sabbatical leave for the fall 2010 semester.  Mrs. Shearer, who has taught at Stevenson University for over 20 years (SU was still Villa Julie College then!), is taking her first sabbatical.  She will use her semester to complete the coursework for a graduate certificate in distance learning education and to begin work on a variety of new online math courses to be offered at SU.  We all wish Mrs. Shearer a successful, productive sabbatical leave! 

Mark Golueke (left) is seen here with Rob “Stats” Guerrera from ESPN after Rob’s talk on statistics and baseball.  Mark talked to Rob about internship and job opportunities at ESPN and how to get into the business.  Mark is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major (math and IS) who is completing an internship this semester at WBAL-TV’s Sports Department.  Mark is graduating in May and hopes to pursue a career in sports media.

Students who have been accepted into the fall 2010 freshman class visited SU in April for the “Presidents Reception for Accepted Students”.  Students toured both campuses and had an opportunity to speak with faculty in their intended major.   The School of the Sciences (SOS) met students in the Science Center where students were able to see classrooms, labs and study spaces.   SOS students were on hand to answer questions about majoring in math/science and to talk to students about clubs, honor societies and student life in general.  Welcome to all our new students!

Rob Guerrera, aka “Stats”, from ESPN’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning” show came to SU on April 29 to give a talk on statistics and baseball.  Rob is seen in the top photo with SU president Dr. Manning.  In the bottom photo, Rob is  with VPAA Dr. Lack, who is presenting Rob with an honorary degree in applied mathematics (Rob graduated with a degree in communications from Quinnipiac College – this degree is just for fun).  Rob’s talk on  “How a Statistical Revolution Changed the Face of Baseball” was very enjoyable and informative,  presenting a variety of new statistics teams use to evaluate players.  This presentation was coordinated by SU’s chapter of the Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society in recognition of Mathematics Awareness Month.

Kelly Witte, a senior applied math major, has passed the first actuarial exam.  Kelly is graduating in May and plans to pursue a career as an actuary.   Congratulations! 

April is Mathematics Awareness Month and this year’s theme is Mathematics and Sports.  SU’s chapter of the mathematics honor society Kappa Mu Epsilon is pleased to welcome Rob “Stats” Guerrera of ESPN’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning”.  Rob will give a presentation on April 29 about how statistics has changed baseball.   

Kelly Witte (L) and Jennifer Barrick, both senior applied math majors,  received a “Meritorious” ranking on their joint submission in the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) international mathematical modeling competition which was held in February.  This prestigious ranking places Kelly and Jen in the top 15% out of the 356 teams from around the world who competed in this year’s competition. 

 Congratulations to Kelly and Jen  and to their faculty mentor Mrs. Eileen McGraw!

Department chair, Dr. Susan Slattery, talks with prospective students at the Vex Mid-Atlantic Robotics Competition.  Math faculty and students promote SU, the School of the Sciences, and the department at a variety of such activities throughout the year.

Students from the course SCI 100: New Student Seminar complete some community service by judging a middle school science fair at St. Joseph School.   SCI 100 is required for all students  with majors in the School of the Sciences.  Shown in the photos from the top are Catherine Stewart,  Jennifer Jackson and Sean McClain.   Outreach like this is encouraged and helps to publicize Stevenson University in the community.