MISSOURI SECTION NEWSLETTER ----------------------------------------------------------------- VOLUME 17 NUMBER 1 FALL 1995 ----------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION OFFICERS 1995 - 1996 Chair: Robert Sheets SEMO 314-651-2768 c222scm@semovm.semo.edu Vice Chair: David John MWSC 816-271-4526 john@griffon.mwsc.edu Past Chair: Al Tinsley CMSU 816-543-4930 tinsley@cmsuvmb.cmsu.edu Governor: Lanny Morley NEMO 816-785-4106 mt98@nemomus.bitnet Secretary Treas.: Yungchen Cheng SMSU 417-836-5112 yuc471f@smsvma.bitnet Newsletter Editor: Vic Gummersheimer SEMO 314-651-2165 c027scm@semovm.semo.edu Student Chapters Dennis Malm NWMO 816-562-1208 Coordinator: 0100114@northwest.missouri.edu H.S. Lecture Coordinator: Robert Kennedy CMSU 816-543-4930 H.S. Contest Coordinator: Al Tinsley CMSU 816-543-4930 Jr. High Contest Robert Roe UMR 314-341-4917 Coordinator: rroe@umr.edu Public Information Coordinator: Jerry Wilkerson MWSC 816-271-4374 NEWSLETTER INFORMATION The Newsletter is published in November and March each year. Please use the Newsletter to share information with other section members--special events at your school, announcements about faculty and students, curriculum innovations, activities of your student mathematics organization. Please contact the Newsletter Editor by February 1 with items to be included in the March Newsletter. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT The Spring Meeting of the Missouri Section of the MAA will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, 1996 at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Spring Meeting will be a joint meeting with MOMATYC, (MAT)2, and MCTM. The First Annual Missouri College Mathematics Team Competition will be held on April 11 and 12, 1996. Please see below for more details. Featured speakers for the Spring Meeting will include: Underwood Dudley, Polya Lecturer and James Donaldson, Second Vice-President of MAA MAA BOOK SALE 20% discount, below member price, for all meeting registrants CALL FOR PAPERS You are invited to present a paper at the spring meeting. Papers are to be between 15 and 20 minutes in length and may be on research topics or expository in nature and may deal with any topic in pure mathematics or mathematics education. For example, papers may pertain to new courses which you have developed, successful techniques you have found useful in teaching, or your current mathematical work, either within or outside the classroom. You may opt to design a presentation directed to the undergraduate and graduate students attending the meeting. Also, faculty are urged to assist honors students in presenting papers at the meeting. MAA student memberships will be awarded as prizes for the top student papers. The presenter's name, title, affiliation, title of paper, and abstract should be sent to: Bob Sheets Department of Mathematics MS6700 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Deadline for receipt of abstracts is February 2, 1996. Please use the form near the end of this Newsletter. MISSOURI MAA COLLEGIATE MATHEMATICS COMPETITION The first Missouri MAA Collegiate Mathematics Competition will be held Thursday, April 11, 1996 and Friday, April 12, 1996 on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Any college or university in the state of Missouri can send up to two teams of 1-3 undergraduates each to compete in the competition. A one-person team will only be allowed in the competition if this person is his or her college's only representative in the competition. A completed registration form for each team must be sent one week before the competition begins. Late registration will be accepted only if there is room for the team in the competition. No calculators or computers or reference material can be used during the competition. The contest will consist of challenging mathematical problems, comparable but not quite as difficult as the Putnam Exam. The Putnam Exam is a national exam sponsored by the MAA and given to outstanding college mathematics students. Previous Putnam Exams can be found in past October issues of the American Mathematical Monthly. The Thursday evening competition will begin at 7:30 pm and last until 10 pm and will consist of 5 problems for each team to solve. The Friday morning competition will begin at 8:30 am and will end at 11 am. It will also contain an additional 5 problems. Each problem will be worth 10 points and will be scored by a committee of the MAA Missouri section. The committee consists of the following members: Mangho Ahuja (SEMSU), Curtis Cooper (CMSU), Joe Flowers (NEMSU), Leon Hall (UMR), Les Reid (SMSU), and Alvin Tinsley (CMSU). Some partial credit may be earned for substantially correct work toward a solution to the problem. There will be a registration fee of $25 per team. A complementary continental breakfast will precede the Friday morning competition. Each team member is also invited to be a guest at the MAA Missouri Section Banquet on Friday night. At that time, the results of the competition will be announced. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the first place team. In addition, the winning school will receive a plaque. Certificates will also be given to the members of the first place team. Any questions about the competition can be sent to Curtis Cooper Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Central Missouri State University Warrensburg, MO 64093-5045 (816) 543-8851 email: ccooper@cmsuvmb.cmsu.edu REGISTRATION FORM MISSOURI MAA COLLEGIATE MATHEMATICS COMPETITION Name of College __________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Phone Number ________________________ E-mail ____________________________ Team A Team B __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________ Sponsor's Name ___________________________________________________________ Registration Fee(s) __________________________ ($25/team) Payment Enclosed ________________ Pay at Contest __________________ Make checks payable to MAA Missouri Section Return to Curtis Cooper Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Central Missouri State University Warrensburg, MO 64093-5045 (816) 543-8851 email: ccooper@cmsuvmb.cmsu.edu CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 1996 MISSOURI SECTION AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS Nominations for the 1996 Missouri Section Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics are now being accepted. The Missouri Section Selection Committee will choose one of the nominees for the Section Award. The awardee will be honored at the Spring 1996 meeting of the Section and will be widely recognized and acknowledged within the Section. The awardee will also be the official Section candidate for the pool of Section awardees from which the national recipients of the MAA Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Awards for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics will be selected except that one of the national winners may be selected from another source. There will be at most three national awardees, each of whom will be honored at the national MAA meeting in January 1997 and receive a $1,000 check and a certificate. Anyone is entitled to make a nomination, but nominations from chairs or MAA representatives in departments of mathematical sciences are specially solicited. For this reason, this call for nominations is sent to both department chairs and MAA representatives so that the responsbility for nominations can be shared between them. We urge you to submit a nomination if you have someone eligible and qualified in your department in order that your candidate has an opportunity to be considered for the Section Award and, if so selected, also for the national award. Even if not selected this year, it is an honor for someone to have been nominated. Your department will receive recognition for its commitment to excellence in teaching, and the work done in preparing a nomination folder for your candidate is not wasted since your candidate can be nominated again in a future year. Self-nomination is not permitted. In addition to discussing this memo with your colleagues, preferably at a department meeting, please post it in a prominent place in your department. Eligibility College or university teachers assigned at least half time during the academic year to teaching a mathematical science in a public or private college or university (from two-year college teaching through teaching at the Ph.D. level) in the United States or Canada. Those on approved leave (sabbatical or other) during the academic year in which they are nominated qualify if they fulfilled the requirements in the previous year. At least five years teaching experience in a mathematical science. Membership in the Mathematical Association of America. Guidelines for Nomination The nominees should be widely recognized as extraordinarily successful in their teaching * have teaching effectiveness that can be documented have had influence in their teaching beyond their own institutions ** foster curiosity and generate excitement about mathematics in their students * "teaching" is to be interpreted in its broadest sense, not necessarily limited to classroom teaching. It may include activities such as preparing students for mathematical competitions at the college level: for example, the Putnam Prize Competition or the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, or attracting students to become majors in a mathematical science or to become Ph.D. candidates. ** "influence beyond their own institution" can take many forms, including demonstrated lasting impact on alumni, influence on the profession through curricular revisions in college mathematics teaching with national impact, influential innovative books on the teaching of college mathematics, etc. Nominations must be submitted on the "Nomination Form" included at the center of this Newsletter. Please follow the instructions on that form precisely to assure uniformity in the selection process both at the Section and national levels. If a file on a Section awardee significantly exceeds the prescribed limits (as stated on the back of the Nomination Form near the end of this Newsletter), it will not be considered for a national award and will be returned to the Section. Please send four copies of each nomination packet to Darrel R. Thoman Department of Mathematics William Jewell College Liberty, MO 64068 so as to be received no later than January 1, 1996. The Section Selection Committee will select the Section awardee during January and communicate its selection to the national selection committee no later than February 1 so that the national Committee can then make its selections. We look forward to your participation in this exciting MAA venture of taking substantive action to honor extraordinarily successful teaching. We want to see such teaching recognized at all post-secondary school levels. We depend on you to help us identify those who merit such recognition. Minutes of MAA Missouri Section Business Meeting April 8, 1995 The business meeting of the MAA Missouri Section was held in WCM Auditorium on the campus of Central Missouri State University April 8, 1995. The meeting was called to order by Chair Al Tinsley at 11:04 am. 1. To recognize those students who had made presentations, Al Tinsley presented a certificate and offered a one-year MAA student membership to Aaron Bush, David Clements, Scott Hill, Charles Kurtz, Grant Lathrom, Paul Plummer, Kari Sellberg, Maxim Sinitsyn, Stephen Spalding, Linda Tansil, and William Wojczyk. 2. The minutes of the 1994 business meeting, as published in the Fall 1994 Newsletter, were approved. 3. Lanny Morley, Section Governor, highlighted his report that appeared in the Spring 1995 Newsletter. 4. Ken Ross, MAA President, addressed the Section. He mentioned MAA's cost-cutting efforts for future meetings. He also commented on the well-written document on Strategic Planning by MAA. 5. Yungchen Cheng, Secretary-Treasurer, distributed the treasurer's report. The current balance was $2,197.17. Student presenters may still request reimbursements (up to $50 each) for portions of their related expenses that have not been supported by other funds. 6. Al Tinsley reported on items discussed at the Section Officer meetings in August 1994 and January 1995. One major discussion was to broaden departmental representatives' involvement. 7. Al Tinsley, Regional AHSME coordinator, distributed a preliminary financial report and schools ranking in the top decile. He reported that 69 schools participated and about 3900 tests were given. 196 students made the honor roll. It was approved (moved by Curtis Cooper and seconded by Shirley Huffman) that $250 be spent for cash prizes. He mentioned that Robert Roe, Regional AJHSME Coordinator, will continue to work with the Missouri Governor's Office to make award presentations to the top students. 8. Robert Kennedy, Visiting Lecturer Coordinator, reported 20 requests by high schools. He encouraged lecturers to send out short abstracts and more announcements through MCTM. 9. Dennis Malm, Student Chapter Coordinator, reported there are 11 chapters currently in the Section. 10. Vic Gummersheimer, Newsletter Editor, thanked the Program Committee for electronically sending the spring newsletter to several institutions. He requested more reports and news for the fall newsletter. 11. Jerry Wilkerson, Public Information Officer, reminded members of the upcoming Mathematics Awareness Week. 12. The Nominating Committee (Shirley Huffman, chair, Ed Andalafte, Susan Callahan) presented their nominations to the Section: David John of Missouri Western State College for Vice-Chair and Yungchen Cheng of Southwest Missouri State University for Secretary-Treasurer. Al Tinsley asked for further nominations from the floor. The motion by Larry Martin, seconded by Harold Hager, to cease nominations was approved by acclamation. Bob Sheets moved, seconded by Curtis Cooper, to accept the Committee's nominations. The motion passed. 13. Bob Sheets, Vice-Chair, announced next year's meeting will be held on April 12-13, 1996 at Southeast Missouri State University. 14. Eleven people participated in the 5K run/walk Saturday morning. Rick Armstrong was the winner of the drawing for a free 1-year membership. All others will receive a free book up to $15. It was noted that several individuals from CMSU generously provided funds for these prizes. 15. Larry Martin, Past-Chair, presented the results from his survey on the mathematics core requirement referred to in CBHE's Transfer Guidelines. Among the returns from 2-year institutions, eight prefer an alternative course and three prefer college algebra. From the 4-year institutions, ten prefer an alternative course and five prefer college algebra. He requested the Section to decide if further actions are to be taken. After some discussion, a motion moved by Ed Andalafte, seconded by Leon Hall, calling for a sectional response (to be coordinated with MOMATYC if both sides can agree) passed. A motion by Bob Sheets, seconded by Larry Martin, to poll all Missouri public institutions again and based on that poll, if there is a 60% majority, to make a recommendation to CBHE failed. Harold Hager then moved, seconded by Curtis Cooper, the Section recommends to CBHE that the mathematics portion in the Missouri Transfer Guidelines be changed to include a mathematics course with the same prerequisite course of college algebra, or a mathematics course having college algebra as a prerequisite. The motion passed. 16. The Section accepted Jackie Maxwell's request to have a joint meeting with MOMATYC in 1996. 17. Al Tinsley informed the Section that Rockhurst College will host the spring meeting in 1999 and Central Missouri State University in 2000. 18. Curtis Cooper distributed a proposal requesting the Section to sponsor a Missouri college mathematics team competition before the spring meeting. After some discussion, John Koelzer moved to accept the proposal, seconded by Ed Andalafte. The motion carried. 19. Al Tinsley commented on the recent electronic distribution of the newsletter and meeting schedule to five sites. The responses have generally been positive. The Section will continue to work with departmental representatives so that they can help distribute these materials. 20. Yungchen Cheng was instructed to extend the Section's appreciation to CMSU for using their facilities and to the Katti family for their financial support. The meeting was adjourned at 12:19 pm. Respectfully submitted, Yungchen Cheng Secretary-Treasurer From the Governor: Lanny Morley, NEMO The following report on the August meeting of the Board of Governors was supplied by Curtis Cooper, former governor of the Missouri Section, who attended in my stead when schedule conflicts precluded my attendance. I appreciate both his attending for me and the thorough report he provided. The Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America met at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel in Burlington, Vermont on August 5, 1995. 1. The final attendance figure of the joint summer meeting of the AMS/MAA in Vermont was between 900 and 1000. The Task Force of Summer Meetings gave an interim report concerning the future of summer meetings. 2. The MAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., has been restructured. The decision to restructure was made by the Executive & Finance Committee after the Frank B. Manley Company studied the current structure of the MAAHQ and made recommendations. It is important to note the distinction between the MAAHQ, which provides professional support for most of the MAA's activities and handles the business affairs of the MAA and the MAA itself, which is governed by the Board of Governors and consists of 29 sections and nearly 30,000 members. Also, any changes should help promote the MAA's Strategic Plan in Action and enhance the MAA's priorities for the next five years. One of the recommendations was that the MAAHQ should focus more strongly on facilitating the MAA's mission and membership services and less on routine clerical tasks. The essential changes in the MAAHQ involve three levels of management. (1) The executive director (currently Marcia P. Sward) will still head the MAAHQ but her duties and responsibilities have been re-allocated to enable her to focus more on the strategic issues relating to organizational management and the future direction of the MAA. (2) The position of Associate Executive Director)/Director of Publications & Programs (currently Don Albers) has been changed to AED/Director of Publications & Electronic Services. The position of AED/Director of Finance & Administration has been changed to Director of Finance. Some of the administrative responsibilities associated with the former position will be shifted to the Executive Director and her Special Assistant. There will be a new AED for Member Services & Programs. The SUMMA activities will fall under this AED. (3) Three managerial positions will be filled by professionals who are not necessarily mathematicians. These are the Directors of Finance, the Director of Marketing, and the Director of Development. The restructuring has already begun and will be fully implemented by October 31. Also, the MAA will outsource routine membership services, including those involving publications. It is hoped that this new arrangement will save the MAA money and provide MAA members with even better service. The topic of the restructuring of the MAAHQ caused much discussion at the Board of Governors meeting. 3. The 36th International Mathematical Olympiad was held on July 19-20, 1995 in Toronto, Canada. The team from China took first place with a total of 236 points. They were followed by Romania (230 points), Russia (227 points), Vietnam (220 points), and Hungary (210 points). The United States team finished in 11th place with a total of 178 points. The USA team consisted of Christopher C. Chang (grade 11, Palo Alto, CA), Jay H. Chyung (grade 12, Iowa City, IA), Andrei C. Gnepp (grade 12, Gates Mills, OH), Aleksandr L. Khazanov (grade 12, New York, NY), Jaco A. Lurie (grade 11, Silver Spring, MD), and Josh P. Nichols-Barrer (grade 10, Newton, MA). The USA team is led by Mr. Titu Andreescu (team leader), Prof. Paul Zeitz (deputy leader), and Prof. Walter Mientka (observer). Next year, the IMO will be held in India. 4. The following proposed bylaws change was approved by the Board of Governors and will be taken to the MAA membership at the Business Meeting in January 1996 in Orlando. "All dues shall be payable on the anniversary of the date the member joins the Association." This is a change from "All dues shall be payable on the first of January of each year." This change will not affect current members but will affect any new members joining the MAA. 5. Several new books will soon be available as MAA publications. Some of them are "She Does Math", edited by Parker; "The Power Book" by Barbeau; a biography of Paul Erdos; and a book by John Horton Conway. 6. Results of a priorities survey of the Board of Governors were presented. Each current and incoming governor was given 100 points to distribute over seven categories. Thirty-one governors responded. The priority ranking of their responses regarding categories (average number of points) is given below. Publications (31), Meetings (22), Member Services (15.6), Student Services (12.8), Competitions & Awards (9.6), Professional Development (8.4), and Other (0.6). 7. Fred Rickey reported that the MAA now has a WWW home page. Each section is urged to design its own home page. 8. The Board of Governors approved some changes regarding how MAA department representatives are chosen and how they will be overseen. The MAA national office will annually send out letters to department chairs asking them to appoint their MAA department representatives. A standing committee on MAA representatives will be formed to oversee the activity of the MAA department representatives. At the Board of Governors meeting an ad-hoc committee on MAA representatives presented some of their findings as to how MAA representatives might be better utilized by the MAA. It is hoped that this effort will make the MAA representatives much more useful and effective. From the Secretary-Treasurer: Yungchen Cheng, SMSU Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, April 7, 1995 WCM 120 Central Missouri State University The following members of the Executive Committee were present. Chair Al Tinsley, Central Missouri State Univ. Vice-Chair Bob Sheets, Southeast Missouri State Univ. Past-Chair Larry Martin, Missouri Southern State College Governor Lanny Morley, Northeast Missouri State Univ. Newsletter Editor Vic Gummersheimer, Southeast Missouri State Univ. Student Chapter Dennis Malm, Northwest Missouri State Univ. Secretary-Treasurer Yungchen Cheng, Southwest Missouri State Univ. Guest: Ken Ross, President, MAA 1. Al Tinsley called the meeting to order at 11:04 am. 2. The minutes of the 1994 September Executive Committee meeting were approved. 3. Yungchen Cheng distributed the financial report. The current balance as of April 1, 1995 was $2,197.17. 4. Vic Gummersheimer encouraged all institutions to send in campus activities for the newsletter. 5. Dennis Malm had sent letters to schools to encourage forming MAA student chapters. He will submit another Exxon grant application. 6. Al Tinsley announced that the Nominating Committee (Shirley Huffman, chair; Ed Andalafte, Susan Callahan) had nominated David John of Missouri Western State College to be the next Vice-Chair and Yungchen Cheng of Southwest Missouri State University to serve another term as the Secretary-Treasurer. 7. Larry Martin presented his survey of Missouri institutions on the college core mathematics course as referred to in CBHE's Transfer Guidelines. After discussion, the Committee decided to present the findings at the business meeting and let the Section decide an appropriate action. 8. Al Tinsley informed the Committee that Jack Jolly of Missouri Southern State College was appointed to the Distinguished Teaching Award Committee. Due to Ray Malzahn's retirement, Curtis Cooper was asked to serve as the interim chair this year. 9. Bob Sheets announced that next year's Section meeting will be held on April 12-13, 1996, joined by MCTM and MOMATYC. 10. The Committee accepted Rockhust College and CMSU's requests to host future meetings. The record shows the future meeting sites are as follows. 1996 Southeast Missouri State University 1997 Missouri Western State College 1998 Southwest Missouri State University 1999 Rockhurst College 2000 Central Missouri State University 11. The Committee accepted a mathematics contest proposal submitted by Curtis Cooper and will present it at the business meeting. 12. Bob Sheets will represent our section at the summer Section Officers' meeting. 13. Al Tinsley informed the Committee of his experiment with electronically distributing the spring newsletter and meeting schedule. Five sites were chosen and the responses have been positive. The Committee expressed an interest to see a further expansion of this effort. 14. The Committee approved the proposed agenda for the business meeting and invited Ken Ross to address the Section at the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:16 pm. Respectfully submitted, Yungchen Cheng Secretary-Treasurer From the Campuses Central Missouri State University (Warrensburg) Ms. Cynthia Ramey has joined the faculty as an instructor in Mathematics Education. She received her BSE, MSE and EdSpec degrees from Central Missouri State University and is working on her Ph.D. (currently ADB) in Mathematics Education at UMKC. She has taught for 25 years in public schools, most recently with the Lee's Summit School District. Dr. Songlin Tian and Dr. Vince Edmondson were granted tenure in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science effective August 1995. Dr. Edmondson was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. The Department has formed a new student organization for majors in Actuarial Science. Dr. Jean Tao and Dr. Alvin Tinsley will serve as faculty sponsors for The Actuarial Organization (TAO). Dr. Terry Goodman is the project director and Dr. Robert Kennedy is the course instructor for a "History of Math" project targeted for middle school mathematics teachers. Lessons are taped and broadcast via satellite to several sites. Participants are eligible to earn graduate credit for the course. The project is funded by an Eisenhower grant. (Submitted by Ed Davenport) Culver-Stockton College (Canton) Dr. Gary G. Cochell, Professor and Head, was honored last year by Governor Mel Carnahan as a recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also attended the NSF-sponsored Institute in the History of Mathematics and Its Use in Teaching at American University in Washington, D.C., from June 3-23, 1995, and taught in the summer session at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Dr. Atul Roy, Associate Professor, taught in the summer session at UCLA, Los Angeles, California. He is on leave of absence this year to participate in the sabbatical program at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Dr. Fred Helsabeck, Associate Professor, attended the Fourth Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics, held in San Jose, California on June 23-24, 1995. He is also preparing for tenure review this fall. Mr. Robert Burtnett is serving as adjunct in our department this year. (Submitted by Gary G. Cochell) Drury College (Springfield) Carol Collins, Ph.D. has joined the faculty of Drury College as the new chair of the Mathematics Department. Her Ph.D. dissertation concerned topological semigroups. She also has an M.S. in computer science and has worked on interplanetary NASA missions for the past eight years at CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dr. Collins is taking the lead in defining the new minor in computer science which will soon be offered in the Mathematics Department. Professor Stephen Rutan retired from the Department of Mathematics on January 1, 1995 after 33 years of service to Drury College. His retirement plans include much travel as he visits his children on each coast. Our student organizations have been very active. The highlight of the math club's activities for the spring semester of 1995 was a trip to the National Convention of Kappa Mu Epsilon held at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. The purpose of the Convention is for the presentations of student papers and Drury's chapter was proud to have one of its students, Kate Good, present a paper on her readings in Catastrophe Theory at the convention. For the fall semester of 1995, the Math Club is running a Tutoring Service for the Math students at Drury. The Club is also holding several social events at the homes of the faculty members, including a bonfire and a special Christmas party. Our faculty sponsor is Dr. Charles Allen. The Math Department is in the process of developing a new Math course in conjuntion with the Science Division that will be part of a 12 hour general education requirement for all Drury students. The 12 hours will include a 6 hour science course that will be team taught by faculty from Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. This course will be followed by a science course designed to give all Drury students the experience of undergraduate research in science. The purpose of the new mathematics course is to give the students the necessary math concepts and skills to handle the 9 hour science requirement. The topics include : Algebra, Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics, and Calculus. (Submitted by Carol Collins) Harris-Stowe State College (St. Louis) Dr. Lateef Adelani has been promoted to Associate Professor. Ms. Ann Podleski should have completed her Ph.D. requirements by the end of the year and be considered for promotion to Assistant Professor. Dr. John Behle is Chair of the Arts and Sciences Department. Departmental Projects: Ms. Ann Podleski has been serving on the University City Science Advisory Committee. Dr. Lateef Adelani has been selected to participate in the Network for Educational Renewal, led by John Goodlad. Ms. Podleski and Dr. Behle will be conducting follow-up research with respect to the influence of the NCTM curriculum standards. (Submitted by John Behle) Jefferson College (Hillsboro) Linda Cook, Professor of Mathematics, received the Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award. (Submitted by Richard Vaughn) Missouri Southern State College (Joplin) Dennis Harmon was awarded tenure. J. Larry Martin was appointed Dean of Arts & Sciences. Juan L. Vazquez was appointed Head of the Mathematics Department. Tim Flood has accepted a position closer to his home in Kansas. Departmental Projects: Chip Curtis has initiated a Problems Seminar. Linda Hand is working on a grant to promote the use of graphing calculators in Pre-calculus. (Submitted by Juan L. Vazquez) Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville) New Faculty: Amy Gaskins, Ed.D. from UNLV, Assistant Professor, Mathematics Education; Cyrus Brown, M.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Instructor. Promotions: Kurt Fink to Associate Professor; Cheryl Gregerson to Assistant Professor (completed Ph.D.) Tenure: Dennis Malm Grant: Cheryl Gregerson, MAA/Tensor Foundation grant for Women and Mathematics Workshop; Cyrus Brown and Cheryl Gregerson, Northwest Culture of Quality grant for Developmental Mathematics Pilot Using Notebook Computers. (Submitted by Dennis Malm) St. Louis Community College-Meramec (St. Louis) New faculty: James Frost, Instructor Promotions: Ron Paul, Assistant Professor; Toni Garrett, Associate Professor Math Club: Math Support Group is a student organization which does everything from sponsoring workshops on Math Study Skills and Math Anxiety coping strategies to bringing in outside speakers for Math Awareness Week. It recently won an award as the outstanding student organization on the Meramec campus. Departmental Projects: Integrating Academics-Tech Prep, New delivery methods for developmental mathematics, more technology in all courses in the curriculum. (Submitted by Lillian Seese) Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau) Mr. Robert Bruns, Dr. Harold Hager, and Dr. Leonard Palmer retired during August 1995. Mr. Wayne McPherson will retire during December 1995. Dr. Janie Kennedy (1995 Ph.D. from Auburn University in Combinatorics) and Dr. Sharon Yan (1994 Ph.D. from SUNY-Stonybrook in Statistics) are new to the Department this semester. Dr. Vic Gummersheimer is serving as Acting Chair of the Mathematics Department. Dr. John Young is teaching a course in Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers to off campus locations by way of television. Dr. Mohan Tikoo is the Putnam advisor. Drs. Ahuja, Kennedy, and Wyatt are the Mathematics Club advisors. (Submitted by Vic Gummersheimer) Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar) Dr. Kevin W. Hopkins and Bob Glasgow, members of the Mathematics Department at Southwest Baptist University, conducted two one-week Eisenhower workshops in August, 1995. Forty-three middle school and secondary mathematics teachers participated in these workshops where they studied mathematics graphing utilities, both calculators and computer software. Submitted by (Dr. Kevin W. Hopkins) Southwest Missouri State University (Springfield) New Assistant Professors: Zongwu Cai, Ph.D., University of California at Davis, Statistics; Larry Campbell, D.A., Northern Colorado University, Mathematics Education; Yingcai Su, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Promotion: Richard Belshoff, Kurt Killion, Kishor Shah, and Xingping Sun. Tenure: Richard Belshoff, Kishor Shah, Susan Slattery, and Xingping Sun. Award: Shouchuan Hu (1994-95 SMSU Foundation Excellence in Research). New MAA Student Chapter Advisor: Les Reid Sabbatical: George Mathew (1995-96), Clay Sherman (Fall 1995). Administrative Internship: Vera Stanojevic (1995-96). New Position: Susan Slattery, Alabama State University External Grants: Kurt Killion (Eisenhower), Lynda Morton (Eisenhower), Xingping Sun (EPSRC, British) Internal Grants: Shouchuan Hu (Summer Fellowship), Shirley Huffman & Vera Stanojevic (College Curriculum Development), Sam Lynch (College Curriculum Development), Lynda Morton & Kurt Killion (SMSU Research Development), Beverly Weatherwax & Paula Kemp (Funding For Results) Milestone: The department hosted its 25th Pummill Relays for area high schools. (Submitted by Yungchen Cheng) University of Missouri-Columbia. New Faculty: Tanya Christiansen,Ph.D., M.I.T., Specialty area is Scattering Theory; Stamatis Dostoglou, Ph.D., University of Warwick, Specialty area is Mathematical Physics; Dan Edidin, Ph.D., M.I.T., Specialty area is Algebraic Geometry; Igor Verbitsky, Ph.D., Kazan State University-Russia, Specialty area is Harmonic Analysis, PDE Promotions:Dale Cutkosky,Professor; Stephen Montgomery-Smith, Associate Professor Leadership Appointments: Nigel Kalton, Curator's Professor (Submitted by Bridget Kelley) University of Missouri-Rolla New Faculty: We have hired Ms. Mary Kirgan as an Instructor to teach in the department and serve as Mathematics Placement Advisor for all incoming freshmen and transfer students on campus. Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor: Dr. Matt Insall and Dr. Robert Roe. Director of Graduate Studies: Leon Hall Director of Undergraduate Studies: Robert Roe MAA Student Chapter Advisors, Leon Hall and Robert Roe; KME advisors, Jim Joiner and Roger Hering; Putnam Competition advisor, David Grow; Modeling competition advisor, Mike Hilgers. University of Missouri Research Board Grant: Gaoxiong Gan, Albert Goodman (Submitted by Tom Ingram) Washington University (St. Louis) New faculty members Rachel Roberts, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Cornell, 1992. Low-dimensional topology. Mark de Cataldo, Visiting Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Notre Dame, 1995. Algebraic geometry. Tracy Payne, Visiting Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1995. Differential geometry and dynamics. Kazuya Tachizawa, Visiting Research Associate, Ph.D., Tohoku University, 1990. Harmonic analysis. Aurelija Trgo, Visiting Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1993. Scattering theory, fluid dynamics. Jacek Zienkiewicz, Visiting Research Associate, Ph.D., Institute of Mathematics, Polish Academy of Science. Analysis. Tenure and Promotion: Sergio Fenley was promoted to associate professor with tenure. Leadership: Edward N. Wilson replaced Gary R. Jensen as chairman. Retirement: A. Edward Nussbaum retired in May, 1995 after 37 years in the department. Math Club: Pi Mu Epsilon, sponsored by Professor Brian Blank, will hold its Sixteenth Annual High School Mathematics Contest on Saturday, February 17, 1996. Department Projects: Our Putnam team finished eighth in last year's competition. Two of our students finished in the top 25 - Daniel Schepler was 8th and Jade Vinson was 24th. Seven of our students finished in the top 200 nationally. (Submitted by Terri Schneider) Support Math Horizons Math Horizons has just completed its first year of publication. Students across the country have responded that they love the career information, profiles of mathematicians, problems, and "just plain fun," which are found in each issue. Don't let the students at your school miss out on any of the action. Order copies for them now. (800-331-1622 or horizons@maa.org) Mathematics Awareness Week - 1996 Mathematics and Decision Making is the theme for MAW this coming April. This theme will enable us to explore such areas as forecasting, prediction, uncertainty, probability and risk assessment and analysis. If anyone has suggestions for visual expressions of the theme to be used on the theme poster and postcards, make them to Kathleen Holmay, Public Information Director, JPMB, at kholmay@nas.edu or 301-942-9595 or Fax: 301-942-2777. 1996 Summer Short Course Host Site Opportunity The Ohio State University Technology Summer College Short Course ÕT(SC)"å Program founded by Bert Waits and Frank Demana will again be co-sponsoring a variety of week-long short courses designed for college mathematics faculty at selected college sites throughout the United States during the summer of 1996. Short courses will focus on calculus reform and AMATYC Standards mathematical content. All short courses will feature instruction on the Texas Instruments graphing calculators including the TI-92. ÕT(SC)"å instructors are all highly qualified college faculty with experience in the teaching and learning of mathematics enhanced with technology. Short course options include: Mathematics in the foundation, developmental, & college prep levels(TI-82 & CBL) College algebra and data analysis (TI-82 and CBL) Precalculus and calculus (TI-82 and/or TI-85 and CBL) Calculus enhanced with computer algebra (TI-92) Grants of up to $4000 are available from Ohio State to selected host sites. If you are interested in hosting a ÕT(SC)"å short course at your college or university during the summer of 1996, please contact: Ed Laughbaum, Department of Mathematics, Room 342 Math Tower, The Ohio State University, 231 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. Ph: 614-292-7223 FAX 614-292-0694 Email waits@math.ohio-state.edu (Ed Laughbaum) MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS Nomination Form (Please Type) Name of Nominee (Last name first) __________________________ Name of College or University ______________________________ College or University Address ______________________________ College Telephone (__) _______ Home Telephone (__)________ Number of years of teaching experience in a mathematical science __________ Has the nominee taught at least half time in a mathematical science for the past three years (not counting a sabbatical period)? __________ Activities related to teaching ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Publications related to teaching if any (List no more than five) _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Membership and significant activities in relevant professional organizations ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Previous awards for teaching, if any ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Additional relevant information ___________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Name of Nominator (last name first)________________________ Address of Nominator ______________________________________ ________________________ Signature Evidence of Success in Teaching Please describe the nominee's success in teaching by providing a narrative of the nominee's background, experience, teaching style, special contributions, and other related information not already included in the Nomination Form. Please limit this portion to no more than four pages, which must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side only of an 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Type size, whether word processor or typewriter, should be no smaller than 12 point (pica) in size. You are also requested to submit no more than 3 pages of evidence to document the nominee's extraordinary teaching success. For example, a sample of student survey results (including pertinent information about the form used, how it was administered, and the meaning of the scores given), increases in numbers of mathematics majors or Ph.D. candidates, or student successes in mathematical competitions. In addition, you may include a maximum of five letters of recommendation (limited to one page each) with at least two from the nominee's present or former students and at least two from colleagues (one of whom could be the department chair). Curricula vitae should not be submitted since the information from them relevant to teaching success should be included in the Nomination Form and the other documents mentioned above. Please send four copies of each nomination packet to Darrel R. Thoman Department of Mathematics William Jewell College Liberty, MO 64068 (816) 781-7700 so as to be received no later than January 1, 1996. MISSOURI SECTION of THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION of AMERICA ABSTRACT FOR CONTRIBUTED PAPERS SPEAKER Name: _________________________________________ Institution: _________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone: Office (___)_________Home (___)__________ Email: _________________________________________ PAPER TITLE: _________________________________________ BRIEF ABSTRACT OR DESCRIPTION OF PAPER: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ AMS SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION (see list below)_____________ SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED (Overhead projector, computer, etc.) -------------------------------------------------------- ________________________________________________________ Is this a student paper? _______________ PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY FEBRUARY 2, 1996, TO: Bob Sheets Department of Mathematics MS6700 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701 Mathematics Subject Classification 00 General 01 History and biography 03 Mathematical logic and foundations 04 Set theory 05 Combinatorics 06 Order, lattices, ordered algebraic structures 08 General algebraic systems 11 Number theory 12 Field theory and polynomials 13 Commutative rings and algebras 14 Algebraic geometry 15 Linear and multilinear algebra; matrix theory 16 Associative rings and algebras 17 Nonassociative rings and algebras 18 Category theory, homological algebra 19 K-theory 20 Group theory and generalizations 22 Topological groups, Lie groups 26 Real functions 28 Measure and integration 30 Functions of a complex variable 31 Potential theory 32 Several complex variables and analytic spaces 33 Special functions 34 Ordinary differential equations 35 Partial differential equations 39 Finite differences and functional equations 40 Sequences, series, summability 41 Approximations and expansions 42 Fourier analysis 43 Abstract harmonic analysis 44 Integral transforms, operational calculus 45 Integral equations 46 Functional Analysis 47 Operator theory 49 Calculus of variations and optimal control; optimization 51 Geometry 52 Convex and discrete geometry 53 Differential geometry 54 General topology 55 Algebraic topology 57 Manifolds and complexes 58 Global analysis, analysis on manifolds 60 Probability theory and stochastic processes 62 Statistics 65 Numerical analysis 68 Computer science 70 Mechanics of particles and systems 73 Mechanics of solids 76 Fluid mechanics 78 Optics, electromagnetic theory 80 Classical thermodynamics, structure of matter 81 Quantum theory 82 Statistical mechanics, structure of matter 83 Relativity and gravitational theory 85 Astronomy and astrophysics 86 Geophysics 90 Economics, operations research, programming, games 92 Biology and other natural sciences, behavioral sciences 93 Systems theory; control 94 Information and communication, circuits 96 Mathematical education, elementary 97 Mathematical education, secondary 98 Mathematical education, collegiate 99 Unclassified or late