Pi Mu Epsilon
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AY 2007-08

EVENTS

Up Coming On Going
Possible this Year Accomplished this Year
Info for Organizers  

Up Coming

Events for the 2007 - 2008 school year have concluded. Special thanks to all those who participated and contributed, making this a truly outstanding year!!

On Going

Membership Drive

    • Dates: September 5 - all year.
    • An invitation letter and an application form will be sent to students eligible for membership in PME, including the current membership. Please see the invitation letter for a list of criteria for membership. Current members are asked to renew their membership. All undergraduate mathematics students will also be sent an application form for membership in the GMC.

Mathematics Tutoring in Local Elementary/High- Schools

    • Dates: to be arranged.
    • Last year several PME/GMC members requested that we start a tutoring progrma in local schools. We have arranged for interested PME/GMC members to tutor math students at Dreher High School (2 miles from LeConte - on Devine St.). The school needs help with heavy demand subjects such as: algebra I-&-II, geometry, and pre-calculus.
    • If interested, please contact one of the PME/GMC faculty advisors.
    • Committee Chairs: John Webb and Ben Ingram.
      Participants: Jeff Arredondo, Christina Bollinger, Jon Degange, Jennifer Larson, Liz Leeper, Kelvin Pompey.

PME/GMC Bulletin Boards

    • Dates: All year.
    • PME/GMC has 2 glassed in bulletin boards on the 1st floor of LeConte (near the Greene St. entrance) to showcase our club's events and accomplishments.
    • The first bulleting board is for announcements of events. Chairs of events should post announcements of upcoming events there for all to see.
    • The other bulletin board is our Photo Gallery. If you have not already donated your personal photo of choice, please drop one off (with your name on the back of it) to the PME mailbox outside LC 411. We prefer personalized photos over mug shots.
    • It takes (approximately) 2 PME/GMC members to maintain the boards.
    • Participants: Holly Watson.

The Hedberg Student Lounge (LC 311)

    • Dates: All year.
    • Thanks to the generousity of former USC mathematics professors Ernest and Marguerite Hedberg, there is a student lounge in the math department. The Hedbergs were also PME members! Many of our PME/GMC events occur there.
    • The lounge offers a place for undergraduates to study mathematics. There is a large table for groups to work together along with a big chalkboard (if out of chalk, just go the the math dept office and ask for more). There are also several bookcases of math books for you to look through for additional sources to your textbooks. And, for your convenience, there is a micorwave and telephone.
    • It takes (approximately) 2 PME/GMC members to keep the student lounge in order.
    • Committee Chairs: Kelvin Pompey, Matthew Rhoades.

Abscissa

    • Dates: annually.
    • The Abscissa is the annual math department newsletter. It is written for alumni and friends of the department to keep them informed of what is happening in the department. Usually a PME/GMC member writes a few paragraphs about our club's activities.
    • Here are some samples of articles from recent years.
      Summer 2003
      Summer 2004
      Summer 2007.
    • We would like someone to write a few paragraphs highlighting PME/GMC activities from the year 2006/2007. See the 2006/2007 events page for more information.
    • Committee Chair/Writer: Travis Goldie (PME Secretary).

Possible

Pi Mu Epsilon/Gamecock Math Club T-shirt/decal design.

    • Committee Chair: Travis Goldie
    • Committee Members: Kayla Boatwright, Stormy Gaskins, Lynette Glasscho, Jackie Lip, Andrea Moore, Kelvin Pompey, Crystal Slavens.

Undergraduate Math Contests: There are many opportunities to participate in math competitions at the national, regional, state, and local (USC) levels. Here is a sample list.

Actuarial Exam Preparation

    • Date/time/location: Subject to participant interest.
    • The idea would be to meet regularly to prepare for actuarial exams. This would probably include going through old exams.
    • Participants: Marlene Al-Barwani, Andrew Cron, Larry Elmore, Jackson Poon, Holly Watson.

Regular Problem Sessions

Additional local math contests

    • Date/time/location: TBA.
    • We have hosted and can again host other math contests. Here are some examples:
    • Not-too-scary math contest: math for everyday life. (April 2003)
      Accessible to students who have the knowledge of Math 115 or Math 111+112. Math instructors of 100-level courses should highly encourage their students to take the contest. Open to undergraduate students who have not had a math class at the 200 level or above. No calculators.
    • USC Math Challenge (Nov 04, Nov 05, run by Matt Elder (a former undergraduate at USC and current computer science graduate student at the University of Wisconsin.)
      This is an hour-long math competition on topics from classes like calculus, abstract algebra, combinatorics, number theory, and others. Snacks will be eaten; prizes will be won.
    • Committee Chair(s):
      Committee Members:

Service opportunities: In addition to tutoring at local schools, and the maintance of the Hedberg student lounge and first floor bulletin boards, several service opportunities exist.

Annual SC State High School Math Contest

    • Date/time/location: Early December (likely to be Saturday, December 8), administered at USC.
    • The math dept hosts the annual South Carolina High School Math Contest. Many PME/GMC members participated in this contest while in high school.
    • Typically, PME/GMC volunteers to help out. This involves helping with registration, proctoring the written exam, or helping out with the logistics of the cipering contest. There is a morning shift (roughly 9-noon) and an afternoon shift (roughly 1-3pm). In between shifts there is pizza for volunteers.
    • As the date approaches, Bob Murphy, will send out an email requesting volunteers.
    • Participants: Marlene Al-Barwani, Christina Bollinger, Jim Manning, Joe Montoya, Kevin Yeh.

Tutoring during finals week to supplement Math Lab hours

    • Date/time/location: The week before and the week of finals: Dec. 3 - Dec. 14 Math Lab.
    • The USC Math Lab offers free tutoring to USC students for 100-level math courses. Often, the Math Lab wishes to extend its hours (by 1 to 2 hours a day) the week before and during finals but cannot since it falls short of tutors. This is a chance for PME/GMC members to tutor in the lab.
    • The Committee Chair will contact and coordinate with the Math Lab Director, Bob Murphy, towards the end of the semester. PME/GMC members should receive an email from them about the possible tutor time slots (typically about 1 hour each).
    • Committee Chair: Jon Degange.
      Participants:

USC Clean Carolina Project

    • Date/time/location: mid-Spring (TBA).
    • PME/GMC oversees Gibbes Green (the green circular area near LeConte, with the black benches) through the Clean Carolina Project.
    • We set up a few times out of the year to pick up rubbish there as a group. Usually we try to coordinate with the USC Clean Carolina Campus-Wide days. Come on out! Of course, if you are just walking by and see some rubbish, feel free to see that it makes it to a proper place.
    • Committee Chair:
      Participants: Lynnette Glasscho, Bill Kay, Jennifer Nichols, Andrea Moore, Kelvin Pompey, Ben Wietecha.
      The committee chair will send out an email announcement of the day/time and requesting volunteers.

Social Events: Of course, we also hold social events related to mathematics.

Dessert and Game Nights

    • Date/time/location: TBA.
    • A chance for everyone to learn and play their favorite mathematical games, while enjoying desserts. If you're able, bring your favorite strategy, board, or math-like games. Also, if you're able, bring a dessert. Most of all, bring yourself and enjoy mental and edible delights.
    • Committee Chair: Ronda Sanders
      Participants: Kelvin Pompey, Forrest Spence.

Movie Night

    • Date/time/location: TBA.
    • We gather to watch and discuss a math-related movie. In the past we have watched both Hollywood-type movies and documentaries.
    • Committee Chair(s):
      Committee Members: Marlene Al-Barwani, Travis Goldie.

Speakers, panelists, and guests: We have also hosted speakers and panels both from within the university and from other universities. Here are some examples.

Math/Stats Career Night

    • Date: TBA.
    • We could bring in speakers for a Math/Stats Career Night.
    • We can invite someone to speak about services offered by the USC Career Center .
    • Other possible speakers include alumni working in math-related fields in the private or public sectors (e.g., business, government,etc.)
    • If you know someone who could speak to us about his/her professional experience in a math-related field, please do not hesitate to contact a PME/GMC advisor so that we may consider inviting the person.
    • Committee Chair:
      Committee Members:

Math talks by faculty from USC or other schools

Math talks by students

    • Date/time/location: TBA.
    • Students are welcome to speak. Here are some examples of students who would be good candidates to give brief talks to their peers: students who attended a summer REU (research experience for undergraduates) or have done research, students who have done or are currently doing an undergraduate thesis in math (whether for honors or not), students who have done or are currently doing in an internship or job in a math-related field, or students who have a fun math topic they would like to share.

Accomplished this Year

Organizational Meeting

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, September 11, LC 101, 5 pm.
    • We are looking forward to an exciting year for Pi Mu Epsilon and the Gamecock Math Club! Now is the time for you to help promote and develop PME/GMC. We will provide snacks, sandwiches, and cookies, and of course you are welcome to bring contributions. The best advertising for our club is word of mouth, so we encourage you to bring friends (students) who may consider joining. We will discuss coming events and elect officers for this year. The elected positions are: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Returning members will introduce themselves.
    • Before the meeting, please look over the list of events and events from previous years to see which are of interest to you. Which ones would you like to: be the Committee Chair, be a Committee Member, and/or a Participant? Those events that have the interest and support of PME/GMC members will prevail. Those events that fall short of interest ... will not occur. Let your voice be heard!
    • Recap: The meeting was attended by roughly 25 - 30 students. We had subs from Firehouse and other good food and drink. The handout from the meeting with the list of possible events can be found here. Students will sign up for these events at the next meeting on Tuesday, October 9 at 5 pm in LC 311/312.

Fall 2007 Initiation Ceremony

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, October 9 in LC 312, followed by pizza and refreshments in LC 311.
    • Event Flyer: 2007
    • Returning PME/GMC members will welcome the new PME/GMC members in the traditional Initiation Ceremony. New PME inductees take the honorary society pledge and officially sign their names into the Chapter book.
    • Attendees will sign up for the events discussed at the organizational meeting on Tuesday, September 9. It might be a good idea to take a look again at what we have planned before attending! (This is the handout from the September 9 meeting.)
    • Immediately following there will be pizza and refreshments in LC 311.
    • Spouses, children, significant others, and parents are all welcome. Typically there is a wide variation in dress attire.
    • Committee Chair: Tyler Ray (PME/GMC President).
      Committee Members: PME/GMC Officers

Annual Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics Contest

Graduate School -&- REU Information Night

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday 30 October at 6pm in LC 101
    • Event Flyer: 2007-08
    • Representatives from USC will answer questions (those you have as well as those you don't even know you have) about applying to graduate school in mathematics and related fields. For example, what classes should I be taking now, to which schools should I apply, what does an application entail, when should I apply...? If you are interested in studying math or a related field after your bachelor's degree, this is an excellent opportunity.
    • We have had successful panel discussions on this topic in the past with representatives from the mathematics, math education, and engineering departments.
    • Are you interested in doing research in the summer with a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program? Representatives from USC will provide information on the program offered by the National Science Foundation.
    • Committee Chair: Jenn Guest
      Committee Members: Jeff Arredondo, Andrew Mamroth, Jim Manning, Kelvin Pompey, Alyse Shayer.

Sudoku Championship

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday 13 November 2007 at 6pm in LC 101.
    • Here's what we have planned:
      • USC graduate student Ivan Haynes will explain to us the connection between Sudoku and math graph theory.
      • Then learn some Sudoku strategies from USC undergraduate Forrest Spence.
      • After this, test your skills to see how good you really are at our Sudoku Championship:
        • Can you solve the most puzzles in a set amount of time?
        • Can you solve a tough puzzle faster than everyone else?
        • How much progress can you make on an insane puzzle?
      • Prizes for the overall winners.
      • Door prizes and snacks throughout.
    • Event Flyer: 2007-08
    • Take One Flyer: 2007-08 (html), 2007-08 (pdf)
    • The chair for this event should be a member willing to give a talk on the mathematics behind Sudoku. We will hold a Sudoku solver competition. The committee for this event will decide the rules for the competition and find suitable Sudoku puzzles. Maria Girardi's sudoku page has lots of links to information about sudoku on the internet.
    • Committee Chair: Ben Ingram.
      Committee Members: Jon Degange, Larry Elmore, Andrew Mamroth, Matthew Rhoades, Alyse Shayer, Forrest Spence.

Christmas Stocking Stuffing

    • Date/time/location: Late November/early December (TBA).
    • The Math Department participates in the Salvation Army Stocking Stuffers program that provides (filled) Christmas Stocking for children in need. The Math Dept collects up toys to fill the stocking.
    • You can contribute and make a child smile this holiday season by helping stuff the stocking with the donated toys. We gather in LC 312, put all the toys out on the large table, and stuff the stockings.
    • If you are interested, please contact Ronda Sanders
    • Committee Chair: Ronda Sanders
      Committee Members: Jon Degange, Stormy Gaskins, Jim Manning, Jackson Poon, Alyse, Shayer, Forrest Spence, Claire Spilde, Holly Watson, Ben Wietecha.

Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition

Undergraduate Seminar Talk

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7:00 pm in LC 412.
    • PME/GMC invites the USC community to this enlighting lecture, which is accessible to undergraduates.
    • Title: Catalan Numbers Count.
    • Speaker: USC math graduate student Virginia Johnson.
    • See the Event Flyer for an abstract.
    • The talk was attended by 15 people.

Spring 2008 Initiation Ceremony

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 6:00 pm in LC 311/312.
    • Event Flyer
    • Here's the evening's plans; attend as much as your class/work schedule will afford you.
      • Returning PME/GMC members welcome the new PME/GMC members at a candlelit Initiation Ceremony at 6pm in LC 312.
      • Followed by a discussion of and sign-up for upcoming PME/GMC events in LC 311. Pizza in assistance here.
      • Then the seminar Catalan Numbers Count at 7pm in LC 412. See above announcement.
    • invitation letter (pdf).
      application form (pdf).
    • Committee Chair: Tyler Ray (President).
      Committee Members: PME/GMC Officers.
    • About 25 people came to the initiation ceremony.
    • PME/GMC now has 66 active members for the academic year 2007-2008!! See the people page for details.

Undergraduate Seminar Talk by Professor David Sumner

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 6pm in LC 412.
    • A fun math talk aimed at undergraduates.
    • Title: Jumping at the Chance
    • See the Event Flyer for more info (eg. an abstract).
    • Advertising Team: Stormy Gaskins, Hudson Harper, Jim Manning.
      Refreshment Team: Kayla Boatwright, Andrea Moore.
    • 39 people at attendence at this talk! Afterwards, we enjoyed a (surprise) ice-cream social, in honor of Dr. Sumner's favorite food.

Annual USC Integration Bee

    • Date/time/location: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 6pm in LC 412
    • See the Event Flyer for more info.
    • The USC Integration Bee was begun by Carrie Finch (a former graduate student at USC and current tenure-track assistant professor at Washington and Lee Univ.) on April 8, 2003. Since then, PME/GMC hosts the USC Integration Bee annually. It is similar to a spelling bee, but one integrates insteads of spells. In teams, students try to work through each integral before the music ends. Snacks, drinks, and prizes are all provided.
    • To quote a student: This event is more fun than seems feasible, really.
    • We thank the USC Math Department and the South Carolina Honors College for their generous support of this event.
    • Committee Chair: Daniel Savu
      Helpers: Jon Degange, Larry Elmore, Ben Ingram, Liz Leeper, Kelvin Pompey, Jackson Poon.
      Advertising Team: Andrew Cron, Jim Manning, Kelvin Pompey, Crystal Slavens, Holly Watson.
      Refreshment/Prize Team: Ronda Sanders, Crystal Slavens.
    • More than 50 students attended.
    • Here are some see pictures of this event.
      Here is a story (with pictures) of this event.

Dessert and Game Day

    • Date/time/location: Thursday, April 24, 12 - 3 pm, at the basketball court/grassy area midway between LeConte and Russell House, near Woodrow College.
    • Open to Pi Mu Epsilon, Gamecock Math Club, and Mu Sigma Rho members, and their friends.
    • There will be posted a sign up sheet if you wish to bring cookies, candy, other snacks easily eaten outside. Student Life is providing tables and chairs. Ronda Sanders is bringing her Badminton set, Dr. Girardi is bringing Bocce Ball, and we need some one to bring a basketball/Frisbee. We hope this will be a great break for us all to have a little fun before exams start.
    • About 20 members came. Basketball was a slam dunk. Student Life was kind to provide us with some table and chairs to rest between the games.
    • Organizers: Holly Watson and Kelvin Pompey.