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The Math and Computer Science department offers many research experiences through SPECTRA, Mathematical Biology, the Senior Capstone Experience, and other programs. |
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 2011
In this Issue:
After several years of challenges and constant change, we have had a relatively quiet year in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. We spent some time last fall documenting the "High-Impact Educational Experiences" we provide for our students, such as internships, research opportunities, service learning activities, and projects within classes to make subjects more meaningful for students. All universities in Missouri were asked to prepare this information. If there was some kind of unusual, life-improving experience you had within our department, we would like to hear about it to be sure we include it in our list and make it available to other students.
We learned that during fiscal year 2009, we graduated more mathematics majors, 38, than any other public university in Missouri; MU was second with 34. We continue to examine our programs and policies to make them more meaningful and attractive to students. We approved a new calculus course that will be directly applicable to students in science, esp. biology, and we have implemented a new freshmen seminar class for undeclared students interested in STEM disciplines. We began a discussion about changing our capstone requirement in mathematics to expand students' options. We are currently assessing the effectiveness of the Mathematics Mode of Inquiry, the Elementary Functions Essential Skill, and the Statistics Essential skill within our Liberal Studies Program. We continue to make changes to the delivery of our College Algebra and Trigonometry classes, and we now only have the self-paced option for students in those classes. Two faculty members, Don Bindner and Pam Ryan, will be conducting an experiment this coming year with students in their MATH 502 Topics in Mathematics: Technology and MATH 515 Complex Variables classes where students will be provided with touch pads to better integrate technology in these classes. We faced a delay with accreditation of our online graduate certificates in ADA Programming and Computer Security but expect those programs to be available this year. MCS faculty are also supervising several grants that provide scholarships to mathematics or computer science majors as well as stipends to non-majors who take classes that count toward these majors.
As the economic recession continues, a task force was created to examine campus-wide staffing and make recommendations about further reductions in faculty in the light of the tough economic situation facing higher education. By any measure considered, the School of Science and Mathematics is already meeting our staffing targets. While we knew that reductions and modifications in the past few years had improved our efficiency, it was nice to see that we have reached the university's goals for us. We hope this news will mean fewer or no further reductions in faculty from our school in the near future. With sabbaticals currently suspended, all of our regular faculty will be back in the department this year. Sam Lesseig and Wayne Bailey will be in the second of their three years of working half time as they move toward full retirement. We will be losing one temporary faculty member, Miroslaw Pryszczepko, and wish him success with future endeavors.
As always, we greatly enjoy hearing what our graduates are doing. Please consider sending us information about your progress. We would also be very interested in hearing any suggestions you have about making our programs stronger or more efficient. We appreciate the many donations we have received to our MCS Foundation account. These funds allow us to continue to offer valuable experiences to our students such as attending professional conferences and participating in contests as well as providing some small scholarships that assist with the rising costs of textbooks. Please remember that if you need information or assistance, we are only an email away!
Best Wishes!
Susan LaGrassa
Paul Sanderson, 1975 - I have been teaching in the Mathematics Dept. at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo now for the last 3 years. I retired from the Columbia Public School system after 32 years, but was not ready to stay at home all the time, so this has been a wonderful experience for me. Thanks to all my NMSU professors who helped prepare me for my life's work.
Deb (Brockschmidt) Poese, 1981 - I'm currently the Director of the School of Education at Montgomery College in Maryland, completing the circle from high school mathematics teacher to college math professor to math department chair to teacher educator. Our son, Scott, just received his BS in Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park (like mother, like son!) I'm amazed that it has been 30 years since graduation--I can still see Professor Groff in Calculus I, running over the end of the class period as he did just one more problem!
Keith Epperson, 1982 - I am now a Principal with Savvysherpa, Inc. and Principal Research Director. Savvysherpa is a Venture Research Firm employing statisticians, economists, O.R. and other highly regarded disciplines working with large client companies across the US.
Mahlon A. Barker, 1984 - Married to Sandy (1985 - BS in Bus Adm BSE in Business Education) for the last 25 years. I reside now in Dallas Center, Iowa. We have 4 boys Christopher(23), Jacob(20), Matthew(19), and Benjamin(15). I am currently the System Support Manager for Continental Western Group in Urbandale, Iowa where I lead a group of people providing Technical Help Desk Support, Application Deployment services, and internal IT project management support. In my spare time I volunteer with the instrumental and vocal music programs at Dallas Center-Grimes High School along with being a leader in our local Boy Scout Troop.
From Karen Van Cleave, 1997 - I am still working at American Family Insurance in Madison, WI. After taking a 7 year break from actuarial exams and getting an MBA in Finance, I decided a few years ago to go back and try to finish them up. This July I obtained my FCAS designation and was promoted to Staff Actuary.
Melissa McAninch, 2005 & 2007 - Justin and I are living in Tiffin, IA now. We've got a daughter, Morgan, who will turn 3 in September. I am about to start my second year in the PhD program for mathematics education at the University of Iowa and am also teaching as an adjunct mathematics instructor for Kaplan University in Cedar Rapids.
Kyle Gifford, 2006 - I recently moved from Dallas, TX to Boston, MA. I am currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at Freecause. I got married on March 19, 2011 to Sara Barnes (class of '08). Feel free to include my email address (kgifford@gmail.com) in the update.
David Failing, 2008 - I was invited to spend 6 weeks this summer participating in the Summer Thematic Program on The Mathematics of Constraint Satisfaction at the Fields Institute in Toronto, Canada. The program consists of a summer school / crash course on the basics of constraint satisfaction; several weeklong sessions on the applications of various areas of mathematics to constraint satisfaction where various faculty were invited to give talks on recent research developments; and most importantly, extended time in-residence for graduate students and other visitors to spend time learning and to interact with each other to (hopefully) form research collaborations. I've been using the time to complete some reading and listen to talks in algebra with the hope of finding a problem to work on for my PhD thesis. I'm expecting to graduate from Iowa State in May 2013.
Photo Gallery:
Joey Palmer won an award for his poster at the 2011 Joint Mathematics Meeting. Joey was also named Truman's outstanding senior in mathematics this year.
Truman students continued their success in various mathematics contests. Teams consisting of Huan Truong, Hoang Pham & Brett Collins and Xiang Li, Charles Tomlinson & Ngoc Thai become the 18th and 19th Truman State teams to be designated with an award in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling. This year the contest had solutions submitted from 2775 teams representing 17 countries. Both Truman State teams won "Honorable Mention" awards for their solution to the discrete problem. Two Truman teams also won awards at the annual Missouri Mathematics Competition this year. The team consisting of Brett Collins, Joseph Palmer and Charles Tomlinson took 7th place and the team (pictured above from left to right) consisting of Zach Whitehouse, Hoang Pham, and Xiang Li took second place. This marks the eighth time in the last 10 years that a team from Truman has placed either first or second in the competition.
Students and faculty kick back at Leisure World during a bowling night organized by Kappa Mu Epsilon.
Department faculty discuss strategies for cheating (above) at the annual departmental softball game. Tensions were high (below) in this always hotly contested game, but happily no one was ejected.
2010-11 Math / CS Foundation Scholarships News:
At our recent Spring Banquet, we were once again reminded of your generous support of our Endowed Scholarship Program as we recognized this year's recipients. Most of these scholarships have been endowed through the contributions of alumni and friends to honor former faculty or family members. These funds provide scholarships through the interest return of the endowment. A few are also funded through the earnings on the unrestricted gifts you have made to the Truman State University Foundation Fund, Mathematics and Computer Science Account.
We are extremely grateful for your gifts and we want to share the names of this year's recipients and a brief description of each foundation scholarship with you.
2010-11 MT/CS Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The Boeing Company-Math and Computer Science Scholarship: Nicholas Becker, Shelby IA, sophomore computer science major, Benjamin Easley, West Chicago, IL, senior computer science major, Tyler Knierim, Ashland, MO, senior computer science major, Kyle Koenig, Maryland Heights, MO, junior math major, Andy Yang, Bettendorf, IA, junior math major.
Frank and Mary Carter Mathematics Scholarship: Ethan Gabel, Keokuk, IA, math MAE graduate student.
Don Groff Mathematics Scholarship: Adam Wagenknecht, Sedalia, Missouri, sophomore math & computer science double major.
G. H. Jamison Memorial Scholarship: Seth Raithel, Jefferson City, MO, junior math major.
Dean Earl and Edna Ludlow-Math & Computer Science Scholarship: Chris Becker, Laddonia, MO, junior math major, Lauren Snyder, Altoona, IA, junior math major.
The Lanny C. Morley Scholarship: Christopher Duda, St. Charles, MO, junior math major.
Duane Norman and Donna Norman Hicks Mathematics Scholarship: Eric Volstromer, Wildwood, MO, junior math major.
Dorothy Pearson Scholarship: Natalie Clark, Saint Louis, Missouri, senior math major.
Kenneth Stilwell Mathematics Scholarship: Kelly Bowden, Ballwin, MO, sophomore math major.
The Mr.& Mrs. Robert Lisle Walker Scholarship: Erik Dauster, Wildwood, MO, junior math major.
Shirley Ann Watson Memorial-Math Scholarship: Kendall Brown, St. Charles, MO, senior math major.
Dale Woods Mathematics Scholarship: Xiang Li, Wuhu, China, senior math major.
Department Scholarships: Katie Boevers, Saint Peters, MO, math MAE graduate student, Saroj Maharjan, Lalitpur, Nepal, junior computer science major, Ujwal Sapkota, Kathmandu, Bagmati, senior math major, Jeffrey Wessel, Saint Peters, Missouri, sophomore computer science major, Kyle Wiechens, O'Fallon, Missouri, senior math major, Tian Zheng, Nanjing, China, sophomore accounting & computer science double major.
About the MT/CS Department Endowed Scholarships
The Boeing Company - Mathematics and Computer Science Scholarships: The Boeing Company, St. Louis, MO, provides this money for annual scholarships to be awarded to mathematics or computer science majors interested in the aerospace industry who are US citizens.
The Frank & Mary Carter Mathematics Scholarship: This scholarship was established in 1991 by Frank W. Carter in memory of his wife, Mary B. Carter. They were both Truman graduates and Mr. Carter was a high school mathematics teacher in Hannibal, MO. This scholarship is given to mathematics majors who have been accepted into the MAE program. Mr. Carter died in October, 2005.
The Aven L. Roberts & Eugenia (Ritchie) Roberts Crain Scholarship: This scholarship was established in 2002 by Mrs. Eugenia (Ritchie) Roberts Crain, a 1942 graduate of Truman State University, to honor her late husband, Aven Roberts, a lifelong educator and 1937 graduate of Truman State University. Mr. Roberts' teaching career spanned 28 years, including nearly 24 years as an instructor of mathematics at Kemper Military School and College. He passed away in 1969. Mrs. Crain also dedicated her career to education which included teaching business education in 1971-72 at Truman State University. She retired in 1983 and resides in Columbia, Mo.
The Donald Groff Mathematics Scholarship: Don Groff taught mathematics courses and counseled students as a friend and teacher at Truman for over 20 years, retiring in 1993. This scholarship was established in honor of his years of service to Truman State University by friends, colleagues, and former students upon his retirement. Mr. Groff died in 2005.
The G.H. Jamison Scholarship: This scholarship was established by family, friends, and former students in 1979 in honor of G.H. Jamison who graduated from Kirksville Normal School (Truman State University) in 1908. He taught in the Truman State University Mathematics Division from 1912 to 1956, serving as Division Head from 1925 to 1946. For the 25 years from 1930 to 1955, he was Problem Editor of School Science and Mathematics Magazine. He had enthusiastic interest in travel and athletics and was inducted into the Truman Athletic Hall of Fame because of his service on the College Athletic Committee and the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Professor Jamison died in 1979.
The Dean Earl & Edna Ludlow Scholarship: Mathematics and Computer Science: Earl and Edna Ludlow established three scholarships for Truman students in 1982, including this one in Mathematics and Computer Science. Mr. Ludlow was a high school teacher and administrator covering a span of 20 years before coming to Truman in 1964 and serving as a professor of education and Dean of Instruction. They are both deceased.
The Lanny C. Morley Scholarship: The Dr. Lanny C. Morley Scholarship was endowed in 1998 by a former student in honor of Dr. Morley. A 1962 graduate of Truman State University, Dr. Morley began teaching mathematics at Truman in 1970, became Head of the Mathematics and Computer Science Division in 1982, served as Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1994 through 1996, and returned to head the MT/CS Division until he retired as Dean of the MT/CS Division in 2007.
The Duane Norman & Donna Norman Hicks Mathematics Scholarship: Duane Norman, who graduated from Truman in 1956, taught mathematics and computer science classes here for 30 years, retiring in 1994. His wife, Donna, served as the Mathematics and Computer Science Division secretary for a number of years under Division Head, Dr. Dale Woods. This scholarship was established by friends, colleagues, and former students of Mr. Norman in honor of both his and her years of service to Truman State University. Professor Norman died in 2003.
The Dorothy Pearson Scholarship: Friends and former students of Dorothy Pearson, a Truman graduate of 1928, established this scholarship in her honor. Professor Pearson was a high school and college instructor of home economics and Head of the Division of Home Economics from 1953 to 1972. Because her grandson, Jeff Wayman, was a Truman mathematics major and she was a close friend of Dr. Dale Woods, this scholarship was transferred to the Mathematics and Computer Science Division when the Home Economics Division was dissolved. Professor Pearson died in 1999.
The Kenneth Stilwell Mathematics Scholarship: This scholarship was established in Dr. Stilwell's honor in 1993 by friends, colleagues, and former students upon his retirement. Dr. Stilwell taught mathematics and nurtured prospective high school mathematics teachers at Truman State University for approximately 30 years. This scholarship is appropriately given to a freshman mathematics major with a desire to teach. Dr. Stilwell died in 2002.
The Mr.& Mrs. Robert Lisle Walker Scholarship: This scholarship was established by Mary Jane Kohlenberg in 1998 in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walker, who held education in high esteem and instilled that same value in their daughter, Mrs. Kohlenberg. They were very proud when Mary Jane received a scholarship which afforded her a college education and this scholarship, endowed in their names, gives them the opportunity to pass on that benefit.
The Shirley Ann Watson Memorial Scholarship - Mathematics: In 1989, this scholarship was established from a bequest of the estate of Edna E. Watson Richard on behalf of Mrs. Richard and the late John D. Watson, in memory of their daughter, Shirley Ann, who graduated from Truman in 1970. Ms Watson was a dedicated educator and this scholarship is appropriately given to a student with a desire to teach.
The Harry W. Williams Memorial Scholarship: Following Mr. Williams death in 1960, at the age of 59, friends, family, colleagues, and students established this scholarship in his memory. Harry W. Williams was involved in education for more than 35 years, serving as a high school principal, superintendent and instructor of mathematics at Truman State University from 1956 till his death.
The Dale Woods Mathematics Scholarship: This scholarship was established by friends and students of Dr. Woods upon his retirement in 1982. Serving Truman for 23 years, initially as a temporary mathematics instructor, Dr. Woods was Head of the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science from 1965 to1982. It was largely due to his interest, support, and leadership that Computer Science was added as a major. Dr. Woods died October 24, 2008, a week before his 86th birthday. He lived the last several years of his life in Reeds Spring, MO, on his family home land.
MT/CS Departmental Scholarships: Every year alumni of Truman State University contribute to the MT/CS Foundation Fund and do not specify their gifts for a particular scholarship. Some of this money is awarded each year as scholarships to worthy MT/CS majors.