Alumni
Welcome back Alumni! We're glad that you've come back to take a look at the department. We'd like to hear from you; send emails to mtcsalumnied@mtcs.truman.edu. Let us know where you are and what you are doing. Have advice for current students? Let us know that too.
Truman State Mathematics and Computer Science Alumni Newsletter
Summer 2008
From the Department Chair:
Greetings!
It has been a year of big changes at Truman. We have just completed the first year of our reorganized administrative structure. The old divisions were replaced by new departments organized into colleges and schools. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is now part of the College of Arts and Science. By staying together as a unit, we have gone from one of the smallest divisions on campus to the largest of 22 departments. We have spent much of our time creating new procedures for processing substitutions for students, hiring new faculty, recruiting new students, budgeting, and every other administrative task. Through it all, our faculty has continued to exhibit the best traditions of Truman, stepping forward to take on new duties and ensure our students receive what they need to reach their full potential. The challenges of the year and the ways they were met have reminded me once again why I believe this institution is such an incredible place to learn and work.
Last summer, we bid a sad farewell to our long-time leader Dr. Lanny Morley as he retired. At the end of the spring semester, Dr. Nancy Bissey joined him in that leisure sport. Dr. Tom Tegtmeyer has also left his temporary position to pursue an opportunity in Texas. Dr. Jason Shaw moved from a temporary to a tenure-track position in statistics, and four other faculty will be joining us this fall in temporary positions: Dr. Joshua Levy, Mr. Miroslaw Pryszczepko, Dr. Roy Wright, and Mr. Greg Klokkenga in a part-time position. Our department secretary, Ms. Arletta Nelson, has moved over to work in the Provost’s office, and our new secretary is Meredith Wells, a Truman graduate. We are grateful for the excellent work done by our former colleagues and welcome these new colleagues to our community.
Through all of our changes, the one constant was the excellent work done by our students and faculty. In addition to new graduates, many students have done very strong research with faculty, often presenting that research at conferences. The teams who participated in mathematics competitions did very well this year. Faculty in MCS have written books and published articles, been named to national advisory boards, forged new ties with industry, and secured significant grants including one that will provide scholarships to students. Dr. James Guffey was named Truman’s Educator of the Year. We continued our practice of self-examination with both majors conducting five-year reviews of the programs. Though there were many potential distractions, our faculty, staff, and students have remained focused on our primary purpose.
When I graduated, I didn’t realize how much it meant to my former teachers to hear about the things I had done after school. Please know that we want to hear from you. Your challenges and successes help us to continually improve our practices. Your donations help us to continue to provide current students with extraordinary opportunities. Most importantly, the investment of time and expertise creates an attachment to our students, and we care what has happened to you since you left Truman. We wish you well in future endeavors and sincerely hope to hear from you.
-Dr. Susan LaGrassa
News from the Department:
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is a nationally competitive award for students majoring in mathematics or the natural sciences, with only 300 such awards given each year throughout the country. This year, Austin Abrams received an Honorable Mention in this contest. Austin is a senior computer science major at Truman.
News from Truman's Alumni:
From Sarah (Teague) Hanson, 2004: On April 21st I got married to my college sweetheart Matt Hanson ('04 Finance and Accounting) and we are now living in St. Peters, MO. I am working as a math teacher at Fort Zumwalt North High School (home of the panthers!) teaching Geometry and Algebra to 9th and 10th graders. (I love it, by the way)
From Jill Hartnett, 2004: Jill Hartnett received her Masters in Mathematics Education from New York University in June 2007. She is teaching position at Shawnee Mission North High School.
From Jim Drewes, 2002: I graduated from TSU in Dec of 2002 with my BS in CS. I married Melinda Bradfield, who obtained her BSN from Truman in May of 03. Currently I'm Director of Strategic Services for Envision, an IT staffing and project development company in St. Louis.
From Ben Story, 2002: This spring I took a new position with Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, IL as the Information Systems Communications Director. My first priorities center around improving the hospital's voice and data networks in preparation of implementing IP Telephony sometime next year.
From Prabu Venkataraman, 2001: PHinally Done! I graduated from Truman in May 2001 with a math degree. I defended my doctoral thesis in the math department at the University of Florida this April. I'm starting a tenure-track position at Eureka College, IL this fall.
From Margaret Clark, 2001: I chose to take a position as Degree Audit and Information Service Analyst at Case Western Reserve University in the Office of Undergraduate Studies beginning in September 2007. In October, I took a part-time position working freelance as a photo researcher for Cambridge University Press. I am still studying archaeology and ancient art history as a hobby.
From Ben Braun, 2001: This past May I completed my PhD in mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, and in August I began a position as an Assistant Professor in the Discrete Math Research Group at the University of Kentucky. On a personal note, Laura and I are happily settling into Lexington. We have a 10 month old son, Josh, and Laura is enjoying her new position as full-time Mom.
From David Unger, 1999: I have recently accepted a position in the Mathematics and Statistics Department of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as an Assistant Professor of Statistics beginning this fall.
From Michael Molinsky, B.S. ’91 and M.A. ’92: In 2004, after seven years (six as department Chair) in the Mathematics Department of Tennessee Wesleyan College, I decided to move to the University of Maine at Farmington. I’ve just received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor of Mathematics.
From Diane Mason B.A. 1986 and M.A. 1988: No news from me really. I'm still teaching at Indian Hills Community College Centerville (IA) campus. As the school expands its programs to online offerings, I have developed and am teaching three online developmental math courses. Oh, and I am a new grandma, too!
We'd love to hear what you're doing now! Send updates and/or address changes to Dana Vazzana at mtcsalumnied@truman.edu .
Photo Gallery:
Math and Computer Science bid farewell to both a secretary and a dean this year. We'll miss you Arletta and Lanny!
The department also said goodbye to Nancy Bissey, who retired from the university this past spring.
Eighth time's a charm: James Guffey was named the 2008 Truman State Educator of the Year. This year marked the eighth time James was nominated for the award.
Samuel Ware Thatcher was born to Scott and Carol Thatcher on May 16.