Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics

The Roanoke College student chapter of the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) is shown. Activities include a Go Night, a Conversation Series talk, Pi Day activities and student and faculty presentations at meetings. Officers are Alex Moore, Blaire Conner, Adam Peters and Mark Lucas.

The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at Roanoke College is dedicated to one-on-one interaction with students. Opportunities for student research include the Summer Scholar program, URAP and independent studies.

Department News:

Mark Lucas, a rising senior majoring in mathematics, gave a research talk at MathFest in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark's talk on "The Evolution of Swarm Intelligence" is a product of his Summer Scholar work sponsored by Dr. Jeff Spielman. Mark will present his work this fall on campus and at MARCUS, and plans to continue his research in his senior year. Also representing Roanoke College at MathFest were mathematics professors Rebecca Wills and David Taylor who are members of the Project Next program for young faculty, and Roland and Jan Minton.

Jake Bennett, a double major in physics and mathematics, was the 2008 valedictorian of Roanoke College. Jake is from Lexington, Virginia, and has enrolled in the High Energy Physics PhD program at Indiana University. Congratulations to the 8 mathematics, 3 physics and 3 computer information systems graduates. The graduation speech was delivered by John McAfee, Roanoke College 1967 mathematics major. McAfee pioneered voice recognition systems, instant messaging and the virus protection software that bears his name. You can link to his outstanding speech here.

Jan Minton has been named acting Director of the Honors Program at Roanoke College. She has served as Associate Director of the Honors Program for the past six years. In addition, Jan was elected Treasurer of the Maryland / DC / Virginia Section of the Mathematical Association of America. She teaches a variety of mathematics and statistics courses in addition to her Honors course on Mathematics and Art. The Honors Program has a long history of student research and participation at national meetings. 

Danielle Shiley, a rising junior at Roanoke College, won first place in the student poster competition at the Spring 2008 MAA Section in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Danielle's poster was titled "Applying Calculus to the AIDS Epidemic in Cuba" and presented work done in her URAP project. She is an economics major from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Danielle determined parameters to fit a generic epidemiology model to data on HIV and AIDS cases in Cuba. Her poster and ability to discuss her research was judged the best of the twenty student participants.

Roland Minton received the 2008 George Polya Award for expository excellence in mathematics.  He and Tim Pennings of Hope College were honored for their collaboration on "Do Dogs Know Bifurcations?" published in the November 2007 College Mathematics Journal. The article explores the ability of Pennings' Welsh corgi Elvis (pictured) to solve calculus problems. In particular, when chasing a ball thrown into the water, Elvis must decide how far to run before jumping into the water. He chooses well! You can find out more about the article here.

The MCSP Conversation Series will be setting its fall schedule soon. See the spring 2008 schedule. The Conversation Series includes talks by Roanoke College faculty, students, past graduates and invited speakers from other colleges. Past topics have included the statistics of national elections, the future of computing, the coming crisis in American infrastructure, how planets form and the mathematics of voting systems.

Roanoke College graduate Geoff Boyer, winner of his division of the U.S. Open at a 2007 Go Congress, brought his expertise to campus to teach Go, the ancient Chinese game of strategy. The event was sponsored by the student MAA chapter. Geoff had been featured in the Roanoke newspaper as one of several accomplished local players. His guidance and good humor got all of those present excited about this deceptively challenging game.

The Student Chapter of MAA celebrated Pi Day (3/14) by pie-ing professors. Getting pie-faced were faculty from math, computer science and biology as well as special guests from Admissions, Robbie Karim and our man President Maxey. Proceeds are going to charities associated with muscular distrophy and relief efforts for Darfur.

Matt Fleenor has launched Astronomy at Roanoke College, an astronomy club with student involvement and community outreach. A new astronomy course has been approved for Fall 2008, giving RC students an exciting choice for a laboratory science course. Courses for physics majors are being designed, and student research is underway. See story.

Learn more about our students and faculty!
Students: Jake Bennett, Hanan Dahche, Jessica Young, Ashley Francis
Faculty: Rama Balasubramanian (nanotech research), Matt Fleenor, Richard Grant, Steve Hughes, Roland Minton (faculty award)
Retired Faculty: Bill Ergle, Frank Munley (global warming research)