The Math Club

The UNOMath Club has continued to grow in size and activities over the past couple of years. The club meets bi-weekly for business meetings and/or special events. Special events in 1999 included a talk in September by Todd Munson, BS, CSCI, 1995, UNO who had recently completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin and will be working for Argonne National Lab for the next two years. In March, 2000 the group listened to Dr. James Daly from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs speak on Constructing the Best Histogram. In September, 2000 the group invited Rhonda Ahrens, BS, Mathematics, 1997, UNO to speak on her experiences in actuarial work at Physicians Mutual. In October, Douglas Downey, BS/MS, Computer Science, 2000, Case Western Reserve University talked to the group on using genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks to study cognition.

The Math Club also had several students attend the Regional Workshop in Mathematics at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in October, 1999. Several members are planning to attend in October, 2000. The group had six of its members take the Putnam Exam in 1999 and four are preparing to take the exam in 2000. These dedicated students meet every Sunday afternoon during the fall semester to work Putnam level problems. As of August, 2000 the group has instituted a Problem of the Week Contest. On Monday of each week of class a problem is posted on the department web-site and on the Mathematics Bulletin Board in DSC. Students have until the next Friday at 3PM to submit their solutions. The problems vary in difficulty. One recent problem asked the students to find 12[(1-a-b)/2(1-b)] if 60a=3 and 60b =5. Six students submitted correct solutions to the problem. Several students are actively competing for the cash prizes to be awarded at the end of the semester to the students submitting the largest number of correct solutions.

The club has decided to pursue becoming an official organization of UNO. A constitution has been written and accepted by the group. Election of officers was held at the first meeting of the group in Fall 2000. Aaron Becker, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics is the President. Other officers are Melissa Colton, Vice-President; Debbie Challman, Treasurer; Jennifer Cook, Secretary; Amanda Monette, Publicity; and Andrew Gacek, Web-master. Faculty sponsors are Dr. Griff Elder and Mrs. Judy Downey.

Events planned for 2001 include attendance at the MAA Sectional Meeting at Doane College in the Spring where it is anticipated that at least one member will be presenting results of his/her research. In the Fall, the group is planning to host a mathematics contest for area high school students.

Ms. Judy Downey

(Editor's note: Ms. Downey received an MAT degree from UNO in 1998.)