the national association of mathematicians (nam)...past 50 years of african americans in the...
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Volume L Number 1
The National Association of Mathematicians (NAM)publishes the NAM Newsletter four times per year.
Editor
Dr. Omayra Ortega (Sonoma State University)[email protected]
www.omayraortega.com/
Editorial Board
Dr. Mohammad K. Azarian (University of Evansville)[email protected]
http://faculty.evansville.edu/ma3/
Dr. Abba Gumel (Arizona State University)[email protected]
https://math.la.asu.edu/~gumel
NAM’s History and Goals: The National Associationof Mathematicians, Inc. (known as NAM) was foundedin 1969. NAM, a nonprofit professional organization, hasalways had as its main objectives, the promotion of excel-lence in the mathematical sciences and the promotion andmathematical development of under-represented minoritymathematicians and mathematics students. It also aims toaddress the issue of the serious shortage of minorities in the
workforce of mathematical scientists.
NAM’s National Office: Dr. Leona Harris, Execu-tive Director, National Association of Mathematicians,P.O. Box 5766, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5766; e-mail:[email protected].
Subscription and membership questions should be di-rected to Dr. Roselyn E. Williams, Secretary-Treasurer,National Association of Mathematicians, P.O. Box 5766,Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5766; (850) 412-5236; e-mail:[email protected].
NAM’s Official Webpage: http://www.nam-math.org
Newsletter Website: The NAM website has a listof employment as well as summer opportunities on theAdvertisements page. It also features past editions of theNewsletter on the Archives page.
Letters to the editor and articles should be addressedto Dr. Omayra Ortega via e-mail to [email protected].
From the Editor”When I let go of
what I am, I becomewhat I might be”
- Lao Tzu.
Spring is a wonderfultime of renewal, rebirth, andreflection. We should takethis time, during the Na-tional Association of Math-ematicians’ 50th year in ex-
istence, to think about the monumental successesof this organization and begin to dream of whatthe future of this organization might look like. The50th anniversary celebration at the Joint Mathe-matical Meetings in Baltimore, MD was a joyousoccasion marked by panels, research talks, and ex-pository sessions. My most favorite session eachyear is the Haynes -Granville-Browne Recent PhDsession because often this is the first time that
these recent graduates have presented at the JMM.Their fresh energy is palpable! This year Dr. Du-ane Cooper became the very first recipient of thenewly founded Stephens-Shabazz Teaching Award,another new beginning for the organization.
NAM is compiling papers associated withthe talks given at the JMM to commemoratethe 50th anniversary celebration into confer-ence proceedings. All of this year’s presentershave been requested to submit articles by May 15,2019. However, there is room for additional papers.Any parties interested in contributing a scholarlyarticle to these proceedings should contact me atthe following email address, [email protected] are also seeking individuals who are interestedin serving on an editorial review panel for these pro-ceedings.
Sincerely, Dr. Omayra Ortega
2 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
Publishing in the NAM Newsletter
Submissions: The NAM Newsletter is a quarterly publication. Articles and letters should be submitted elec-tronically to the editor at [email protected], or by postal mail to Dr. Omayra Ortega, NAM Newsletter,Sonoma State University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park CA94928. You can find more information at the web page
https://www.nam-math.org/submitting-advertisements-and-articles.html
Advertising:
NAM Online Advertisement Policy: As a part of its Newsletter Advertising, a copy of the advertisement will beplaced on the web during the period it appears in the quarterly Newsletter - at the Job Openings website.
NAM Newsletter Print Advertisement Policy for Non-institutional Members: Receipt of your announcement willbe acknowledged. You will be billed after the advertisement appears. A copy of the advertisement will be placedon the NAM Newsletter website during the period it appears in the NAM Newsletter. To estimate the page size,use 12 point font on a standard size page.
1. One issue advertising
A. One-fourth page $200
B. One-third page $300
C. One-half page $400
D. Two-thirds page $500
E. Three-fourths page $600
F. One whole page $800
*advertisements over one page are pro-rated
2. Consecutive, multiple issue advertising
Each consecutive issue thereafter 75% of the first issue charge.
NAM Newsletter Print Advertisement Policy for Institutional Members: Receipt of your announcement will beacknowledged. You will be billed after the advertisement appears. Institutional Members of NAM are entitledto one 1/4 page advertisement at 1/2 the regular price during the fiscal year of their membership. Additionaladvertisements follow the above stated cost structure. A copy of the advertisement will placed on the NAMNewsletter website during the period it appears in the NAM Newsletter. To estimate the page size, use 12 ptfont in your favorite word processing program on a standard size page.
Deadlines: The deadlines for submissions and advertisements can be found in the following table.
Edition Deadline
Spring February 13
Summer May 13
Edition Deadline
Fall August 13
Winter November 13
Advertisements should be submitted electronically to the editor at [email protected], or by postal mailto Dr. Omayra Ortega, NAM Newsletter, Sonoma State University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics,1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park CA 94928.
We reserve the right to reject any advertising that is not consistentwith the stated goals of NAM, or that is in any way deemed inappropriate.
Revised 8/18
NAM Newsletter 3
Volume L Number 1
NAM 50th Anniversary Celebration at the 2019 JointMathematics Meetings
by Omayra Ortega
The National Association of Mathematicianscelebrated 50 years of promoting excellence and in-clusion in the mathematical sciences at the 2019Joint Mathematics Meeting through invited lec-tures, panels, special sessions, and a banquet. Rec-ognizing the importance of mathematics in our so-ciety requires that we promote math equity withinour community. NAM was founded 50 years agoby 17 individuals who recognized this need and an-swered the call to service.
NSA-NAM Town Hall Panelist: Ulrica Wilson (moder-ator), Michael Young, Raegan Higgins, Tanya Moore,Mel Currie
The National Security Agency (NSA) and NAMjointly sponsored a town hall on ”the Status of theAfrican Diaspora in the Mathematical Sciences.”The discussion that resulted from this town hall andreception was a call to action that will hopefullyspawn new collaborations between the individualsand organizations that were in attendance.
NSA-NAM Town Hall Participants
Ulrica Wilson moderated the panel which consistedof Michael Young (Iowa State University), Rae-gan Higgins (Texas Tech University), Tanya Moore
(Goodwill Industries - San Francisco), Mel Currie(NSA - Retired).
A full day of talks chronicling, ”The Mathemat-ics of Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs) in the Mid-Atlantic,” was organized un-der an AMS special session. The talks included:
• Cheryl M. Adeyemi (Virginia State University)The Identification of Variables Associated withStudent Outcomes on Praxis II MathematicsContent Exams at a South Central VA HBCU
• Gaston Mandata N’Guerekata (Morgan StateUniversity) Pseudo almost periodic solutions fora Nicholson’s blowflies model with mortality term
• Bonita V. Saunders (National Institute of Stan-dards and Technology) Complex Variables, MeshGeneration, and 3D Web Graphics: Research andTechnology Behind the Dynamic Visualizations inthe NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Func-tions
• Abdul-Aziz Yakubu (Howard University) Mathe-matics Research at Howard University: Pure andApplied Mathematics
• Caleb J. Ashley (University of Michigan) A Cap-stone Companion to Mathematics
• Kendra E. Pleasant (Morgan State University)Inscribing n-gons
• Nakeya D. Williams (The United States MilitaryAcademy at West Point) Cardiovascular dynam-ics during orthostatic stress assessed via pulsatileand non-pulsatile models
• Carmen Wright (Jackson State University) Onthe Structure of Generalized Symmetric Spaces ofSLn(Fq)
• Leona A. Harris (University of the District ofColumbia) My Choice to Change the World: AnExploration of My Journey from the SpelmanCollege Mathematics Department to an UrbanPublic HBCU in the Nation’s Capital
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Spring 2019
• Neil Hindman (Howard University) The Researchof 20 Ph.D. Students at Howard University
• Shelly M. Jones (Central Connecticut State Uni-versity) Motivating Students in Mathematics:Women Who Count
• Asamoah Nkwanta (Morgan State University)Episodes in the Life of a Genius: J. ErnestWilkins Jr.
• Dawn A. Lott (Delaware State University) A Lottof History
• Johnny L. Houston (Elizabeth City State Uni-versity) The National Association of Mathemati-cians (NAM), The First Fifty Years (1969-2019):Contributions and Influences as an Advocate anda Catalyst for Improvement
The MAA Invited Paper Session titled, ”ThePast 50 Years of African Americans in the Mathe-matical Sciences,” that included the following talks:
• Michael Young (Iowa State University) A Ran-dom Walk With a Black Graph Theorist
• Talitha Washington, (Howard University) HiddenFigures: The Mathematics of Katherine Johnsonand Rudy Horne
• William A. Massey (Princeton University) A Uni-form Acceleration Trilogy for Dynamic Rate, Sin-gle Server Queueing Transience
• Fern Y. Hunt (National Institute of Standardsand Technology) Finding Nodes for Fast Com-munication in Small and Large Networks
• Scott W. Williams (SUNY Buffalo) On Mathe-maticians of the African Diaspora
Dr. Henok Mawi (Howard University) gave the2019 Clayton-Woodard Lecture titled, On Mathe-matical Problems in Geometric Optics.
There were seven talks given by recent PhDs inthe Haynes-Granville-Browne Session of Presenta-tions by Recent Doctoral Recipients.
• Seye E Adekanye Developing Non-Standard Fi-nite Difference (NSFD) Schemes for a System ofCoupled Second Order Differential Equations
• Ranthony A.C. Edmonds (The Ohio State Uni-versity) Factorization in Polynomial Rings withZero Divisors
• Quentin Robinson (North Carolina Central Uni-versity) Frequency of Upstream propagating soli-ton generation in the forced Korteweg-de VriesEquation
• Alexander J Barrios (Carleton College) Mini-mal Models of Rational Elliptic Curves with non-Trivial Torsion
• Nadia Monrose Mills (University of the VirginIslands) The UVI Growth Model: A model forretention and persistence for STEM undergradu-ates
• Samuel J Ivy (United States Military Academy)Classifying the Fine Structures of InvolutionsActing on Root Systems
• Anisah N. Nu’Man (Ursinus College) CountingRainbow Triples
Dr. Anisah Nu’Man and Dr. Alexander Barrios bothwon the NSF Math Institutes Prizes for outstandingpresentations by a recent PhD.
The inaugural Stephens-Shabazz TeachingAward, named in honor of Clarence Stephens andAbdulalim Shabazz, was given to Duane Cooper ofMoorehouse College. This prize will be awardedannually to a mathematics educator who has sig-nificantly contributed to the development of math-ematical talent in underrepresented undergraduatestudents and encouraged underrepresented under-graduate students to pursue mathematical careersand/or the study of mathematics at the graduatelevel, with preference given to faculty from Histori-cally Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
NAM Newsletter 5
Volume L Number 1
Dr. Duane Cooper, Moorhouse College
Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville (University fo Texasat Tyler), the second African-American woman toreceive a PhD in mathematics, received the NAMGolden Anniversary Legacy Award. Dr. Shelly M.Jones (Central Connecticut State University) intro-duced both Dr. Granville and the award. NAM wasincredibly honored that Dr. Granville was able tocome to the Joint Meetings so that we could presenther with this award at the NAM banquet.
Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville
President Edray Goins thanking Dr. Talithia Williams,this year’s Cox-Talbot lecturer
Dr. Talithia Williams (Harvey Mudd College)gave a wonderful and engaging 2019 Cox-Talbot lec-ture titled, ”A Seat at the Table: Equity and SocialJustice in Mathematics Education.” Dr. Williamscalled on all of us as math educators to inspire our
students to feel joy in the beauty of mathematics bycreating inclusive classrooms by building upon ourstudents identity and lived experiences.
Drs. Jackson and Harris at the NAM Banquet
Dr. William Christian (Department of Defense)presented Dr. Melvin Curie (Department of De-fense) with the NAM Lifetime Achievement Awardfor his enduring contributions to the mathematicscommunity of his work at the DoD, his mentorshipof young colleagues, and his humor.
Dr. Melvin Currie receiving his award, flanked by Dr.Christian on the left and President Goins on the right
The NAM Centenarian Award was presented tothe family of Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, aremarkable mathematician renowned for her calcu-lations of orbital mechanics, critical to the success ofthe first and subsequent U.S. manned spaceflights.Dr. Johnson turned 100 years young on August 26,2018.
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Dr. Katherine Johnson’s family representative sur-rounded by admirers at the NAM banquet
Omayra Ortega Omayra Ortega is the chair
of the National Association of Mathematicians
Publications-Publicity Committee and editor of
the NAM Newsletter. She can be reached at
mailto:[email protected]. �
Empowering Students to do Research in Mathematics at TexasSouthern
by Jacqueline Brannon
Dr. Willie Taylor has been a member of NAM for a
very long time and will give the Bhurucha-Reid lecture
at the Faculty Conference on Research and Teaching
Excellence at the end of April.
Dr. Willie Taylor started his career at TexasSouthern University (TSU) as a research mathe-matician and mentor in 1981. He sought to promoteresearch to add credibility to the TSU Departmentof Mathematics. In 1981 Dr. Taylor surveyed theHBCUs and noted that many of them did not havestrong research programs. He was dually concernedabout the opportunities for junior and senior levelmathematics majors having experiences as internsand research assistants to professors who engagedin mathematical research.
As he looks back over his 38 year career at TSU,he realizes that the credibility of the Department ofMathematics is improved and his role as a mentorand advisor to many students has been productive.His strategy included establishing a research experi-ence named for a senior mathematician who gainednational prominence in the early Sixties. Dr. Tay-lor says, “I created the L. L. Clarkson MathematicalResearch Experience during the summer of 2009.”Dr. Taylor was assisted by Professor Robert Nehsand after ten years, both professors are still activeand respected for their dedication to research andto the development of students who are inspired tocontinue their studies in graduate schools across theUnited States.
Dr. Taylor stated, “My research efforts havealso helped the department produce several excel-lent students who will soon receive their PhDs inMathematics from a multitude of schools, like theUniversity of Iowa, Arizona State University, andthe University of Texas.”
Dr. Taylor added, “My research efforts have alsobeen shared with new, young faculty members inthe mathematics department, as well as more sea-soned faculty in the College of Science, Engineeringand Technology (COSET).” He continued, “Assis-tant Professor Jahmario Williams, Associate DeanOscar Criner, and I published a joint paper basedon my research.”
In 2019 TSUs excellent reputation has attracteda national conference, hosted by the National Asso-ciation of Mathematicians (NAM). NAM will holdthe conference on teaching and research at TSU in
NAM Newsletter 7
Volume L Number 1
March 2019. Dr. Taylor has been invited to deliverthe keynote address during the conference and thishonor is bestowed on him because of the numerousresearch papers he has published in the QualitativeTheory of Difference Equations.
Dr. Taylor continues to mentor students whohave the potential of completing advanced degreesin mathematics. He has a keen and discerning eyeto identify young mentees. During the summer in2018, he spotted another young mathematics majornamed Asia Bryant, who worked with him to getearly exposure to mathematical research. In a re-cent telephone interview this writer could hear thejoy in Asias voice as she described her experienceswith Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor sets high expectations for his stu-dents and his students continue to honor him byachieving his expectations. The credibility of theTSU Mathematics Department has increased. Asformer students acquire accolades and advanced de-grees many of the students return to Dr. Taylorsoffice and say, Thank you.
Dr. Taylor has a vision for the future. Hestated, “I plan to remain on campus, writing up
manuscripts for possible publication, show under-graduate students how research is done, and imple-menting the GEMMS Project (Great Expectationsin Mathematics for Minority Students).”
He asserts, “My future plans will enhance theimage of TSU as a producer of quality STEM grad-uates, as well as showing that the mathematics de-partment at an HBCU can be productive, even withlarge teaching loads.”
The ongoing collaboration of Dr. Taylor andDr. Roderick Holmes, who is currently the In-terim Department Head of the TSU MathematicsDepartment is further evidence of Dr. Taylors ef-fectiveness as a mentor. Taylor and Holmes are thefirst two African American males to receive PhDs inmathematics from the University of Houston. Evengreater things are expected from the TSU Mathe-matics Department because several young, energeticfaculty have been hired.
Jacqueline Brannon Jacqueline Brannon is
the NAM Region C Member, covering the mid-
west and southwest. She can be reached at
Michelle Craddock Guinn Gives 2018 Wilkins Lectureby Edray Herber Goins
The 2018 J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture was givenon Friday, September 28, 2018 by Michelle Crad-dock Guinn, Associate Professor of Mathematics atBelmont University. Her talk was titled EnhancingImagery Techniques. The lecture is an hour-longtalk at NAM’s Undergraduate MATHFest, givenby an established researcher, to motivate our un-dergraduates to continue to pursue research in themathematical sciences. Dr. Guinn gave her talkas part of Undergraduate MATHFest XXVIII, washeld from September 28 - 30, 2018 at Spelman Col-lege in Atlanta, Georgia. Spelman undergraduateMaya Jones introduced her.
Michelle Craddock Guinn
8 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
The lecture was followed by a reception spon-sored by the Education and Diversity Departmentof the American Mathematical Society (AMS).
Dr. Guinn gave an hour-long address on themathematics of determining distance using imagesfrom two slightly offset vantage points, such as theway people have depth perception from eyesight.The objective of Dr. Guinn’s research is to design analgorithm to enhance stereoscopic imagery so that itadapts to the viewing distance of the observer, withseamless transitions among stereo and hyperstereolevels. Dr. Guinn described in her talk her questto develop an algorithm to provide hyperstereo inconjunction to stereo enhancing the depth informa-tion needed to improve performance and judgment.She described a technique to augment the benefitsof stereo and hyperstereo, and she presented an al-gorithm which uses image smoothing, blending andedge detection techniques to provide such an en-hancement.
Guinn at Spelman College
Dr. Guinn is originally from Decatur, Georgia.She graduated from Southwest DeKalb High Schooland went to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia,where she majored in mathematics. Dr. Guinn re-ceived both masters and doctoral degrees in Mathe-matics from the University of Mississippi in Oxford,
Mississippi. Her area of study was Functional Anal-ysis. After graduation, she accepted a post-doctoralposition at the United States Military Academy inWest Point, New York; and later was awarded theDavies Fellowship which allowed her the time to re-search Image Processing at the United States ArmyResearch Laboratory (ARL) in Adelphi, Maryland.Dr. Guinn joined the Department of Mathematicsand Computer Science at Belmont University in thefall of 2013, and she was recently promoted to As-sociate Professor and earned tenure. She is the firstAfrican American to be granted tenure and promo-tion in the Mathematics and Computer Science De-partment at Belmont University, and she is the sec-ond in the College of Science and Mathematics.
The J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture series was in-augurated in 1994 during NAM’s UndergraduateMATHFest IV at North Carolina A&T. It is namedin honor of Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. (November27, 1923 – May 12, 2011), an internationally rec-ognized nuclear scientist, mechanical engineer andmathematician. The inaugural lecture was given byWilkins himself. The Lecture is to be given annuallyat the Undergraduate MATHFest, a conference forwhich Wilkins was a frequent attendee. J. ErnestWilkins was known in the press as the “Negro Ge-nius.” Wilkins received his B.S. degree as a PhiBeta Kappa graduate at the age of 16, his M.S. de-gree at age 17, and his Ph.D. degree at the age of 19.Although he has been highly praised as a superbpractitioner of his crafts, Wilkins is also widelyrecognized and acclaimed as a highly productivescholar, having published more than 80 journal ar-ticles and having produced an additional 22 unpub-lished reports for the Atomic Energy Commission.Wilkins is the only African Americanmathematician-engineer elected as a Fellow to theNational Academy of Engineering (NAE).
Edray Herber Goins is the Pres-
ident of NAM. He can be reached at
NAM Newsletter 9
Volume L Number 1
Hewitt Endowed Grad Fellowshipby Rose Choi
Dr. Gloria Conyers Hewitt
In mid-March, the Gloria Hewitt EndowedGraduate Student Support Fund was establishedwith an initial principal of $50,000 in order to “pro-mote excellence in the graduate program of the De-partment of Mathematics, in particular enhancingefforts to achieve a more equitable representation ofthose under-represented in the field of mathemat-ics.”
UM department chair Emily Stone, Ron Irving, Hon-oree Gloria Hewitt, Gail Irving, and NAM PresidentEdray Goins
Dr. Hewitt is among the first African-Americanwomen in the US to receive a PhD in mathemat-ics. Should the principal (through growth or new
gifts) reach the minimum threshold for a graduatefellowship, which is currently set at $100,000, theendowment will become the Gloria Hewitt EndowedGraduate Fellowship, to be awarded “with a pref-erence for students who contribute to the goal of amore equitable representation of under-representedminorities and women in the field of mathematics.”
Dr. Hewitt addressing the University of Montana De-partment of Mathematics
Gloria received her PhD from UW under the su-pervision of Dick Pierce in 1962, making her thesixth African-American woman to earn a PhD inmathematics. She took a faculty position at theUniversity of Montana in 1961 and remained thereuntil her retirement in 1999, serving as chair from1995 to 1999. Gloria was also involved in a numberof national mathematical organizations and activi-ties. She was a member of the Board of Governorsof the Mathematical Association of America, playeda major role in the writing of the AP calculus examand the mathematical portion of the GREs, andserved on the executive council for the mathemati-cal honor society, Pi Mu Epsilon.
Rose Choi is a staff writer for the University
of Washington. The Public Information Officer at
UW can be reached at [email protected]. �
10 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
Price, a Champion for Diversityby Dylan Housego
This article originally appeared in the July 19,2018 issue of the SanDiego Tribune and has beenreprinted with their permission.
Dr. Candice Price
Picture a mathematician, one with a solid recordof scholarship and research. Who comes to mind?Chances are its not a black woman. Candice Priceis unique in her field. The mathematical culture isexclusive, said Price, an assistant professor at theUniversity of San Diego. We still have some oldthoughts about who can, and should be doing math-ematics. It would be great to change that.
To initiate such change, Price organized the an-nual Underrepresented Students of Topology andAlgebra Research Symposium while pursuing grad-uate studies at the University of Iowa. The pro-grams goal is to give underrepresented students aplace to discuss their research. I started (the sym-posium) as a grad student, and it was really focusedon the math that was being done by the under-represented and creating these networks of peopleworking together and pursuing research and talkingabout issues of underrepresentation, Price said.
Throughout her educational and professional ca-reers, it has been her desire to increase femaleand black representation in mathematics, as wellas fields like science and engineering. One interest-ing thing about my math path is that I never hada professor that looked like me, Price said. I neverhad a black female professor, so one goal of minewas to change that for students.
While the University of Iowa was home to hersymposium (it will be staged at Iowa State Univer-sity next year), Price has been a force for change onthe USD campus for two years. I primarily teachhere at the University of San Diego. We have theStudents of Color in STEM here on campus and Iminvolved with them, she said. The Black StudentResource Center, I spend a lot of time there. I doa lot of outreach to our student population on cam-pus.
Prices academic research bridges mathematicsand genetics using knot theory. If you think aboutyour DNA as a rope or a string, it can become knot-ted, Price said. What are the biochemical reper-cussions of these knots? What does this mean fordiseases? What does this mean for genetic coding?
Candice Price is an assistant professor of mathematicsat the University of San Diego, where she is involvedwith Students of Color in STEM and the Black Stu-dent Resource Center.
Price promotes mathematical literacy so her stu-dents can have the power they need to pursueSTEM careers. Those of us that are mathematicallyliterate sometimes use it as power against those thatare not, Price said. If you know and feel comfort-able with numbers, then you can ask questions, andI think its important that we have that ability toquestion authority. She tells students preparing forSTEM careers not to compromise on their passions
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Volume L Number 1
because many occupations are related to math andscience. I know a lot of mathematicians that workfor the government, that work for industrial labs,that started nonprofits, that do a lot of things. Ithink understanding the diversity of different STEMjobs is very important, Price said.
Dylan Housego Dylan Housego is a mem-
ber of the U-T Community Journalism Schol-
ars Program and writes for the San Diego Tri-
bune. The San Diego Tribune can be reached at
The New York Immigration Coalition Features Dr. TerrenceBlackman
by The New York Immigration Coalition
Dr. Terrence Blackman
Terrence Blackman gave the BlackwellLecture (https://www.nam-math.org/blackwell-lecture.html) in 2015; and hosted NAMs MATHFestXXVII at Medgar Evers College (https://www.nam-math.org/mathfest.html#XXVII) in 2017; and in-troduced the Cox-Talbot Speaker (https://www.nam-math.org/cox-talbot-lecture.html) in 2018. He hasbeen a fierce advocate of NAM, bringing 10-20 stu-dents from Medgar Evers to attend the NAM Ban-quet at the Joint Mathematics Meetings consistentlyfor the past several years. –Dr. Edray GoinsTerrence’s story:
“I was born in Guyana in 1968. I moved to theUnited States in January of 1988 to be a student atBrooklyn College. After graduation from BrooklynCollege, I went on to the City University Gradu-ates Center to complete my degree in mathematics.
Having left the Graduates Center I have worked atMedgar Evers College, where I now serve as theDean of the School of Science, Health and Technol-ogy. Ive worked at Medgar Evers college for almost25 years. I’ve also served as the Dr. Martin LutherKing visiting assistant professor in the departmentof mathematics at MIT. I’ve served as the 5 col-lege fellow at the Mount Holyoke College in WesternMassachusetts. I’ve also served as professor of edu-cation research policy and practice at the Universityof Denver, Colorado. I think it’s important to saythat immigrants are extremely important in Amer-ican society. As an immigrant myself, I think thatNew York City in particular has been really enrichedby the immigrant experience. Here at Medgar Ev-ers College, we welcome immigrants, and I hope theUnited States continues to be a country which wel-comes immigrants. I myself, as an immigrant, amdeeply appreciative of the opportunities that havebeen afforded me in this country and I’ve loved tosee those opportunities extended to many peoplefrom across the world. I think we’re better whenwe have the world in our apartment buildings, onour blocks, and in our city”
The New York Immigration Coalition is
an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that
represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights
groups throughout New York. They can be reached
at [email protected]. �
12 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
2019 MAA-NAM Blackwell Lectureby Omayra Ortega
Dr. Johnny Houston will give the 2019 MAA-NAM David H. Blackwell Lecture, titled, DudeneysNo Three-In-Line Problem, Solutions, Conditions,Progress, and Conjectures
In 1917, Henry Dudeney, an Englishman whohad done some intriguing things with mathematicalpuzzles and games, posed an interesting questionfor persons interested in discrete geometry. Let ann x n grid be given in the Euclidean plane for anynatural number n, what is the maximum numberof points that can be identified in the grid so thatno three of these points are in the same line (no 3colinear). For various natural numbers n, solutions
have been discovered and certain conditions havebeen encountered.
The presenter discusses many of these solutionsand conditions. For large natural numbers n, evenfor some n < 60, progress (or lack of progress) isbeing made slowly. By the Pigeon Hole Principle,the maximum number of such points that can ex-ist is 2n. The problem of finding for which n thisvalue is reached is known as the No-Three-In-LineProblem. Several conjectures exist. These conjec-tures and their motivations are discussed as well assome related problems. However, the No-Three-In-Line Problem is still an open problem. The year2019 is the centennial year of the honoree, DavidBlackwell, for which this lecture was named. Thepresenter will also discuss the life and contributionsof David H. Blackwell.
Omayra Ortega is a professor of mathematics
and statistics at Sonoma State University and the
editor of the NAM Newsletter. She can be reached
at [email protected]. �
A Call for the Endowment CampaignThe NAM Endowment Campaign is truly about providing opportunities for the developmentof a diverse talent pool in the next generation of mathematicians, as we acknowledge a legacyof past accomplishments of African-American mathematicians. As a friend of NAM, we knowyou appreciate the importance of this campaign to the achievement of our shared goals. Weinvite you to volunteer some effort, small or large, toward reaching the campaign goal of $2million by the end of 2019. Please contact one of the campaign co-chairs immediately to askwhat YOU can do.We thank you who already have Life Memberships or have donated to the campaign. Wewelcome your assistance in identifying other Endowment Donors and look forward to hearingfrom you soon!
Campaign Co-Chairs,Johnny Houston [email protected] and Sylvia Bozeman [email protected]
NAM Newsletter 13
Volume L Number 1
Undergraduate MATHFest XXVIIIby Edray Herber Goins
NAM’s Undergraduate MATHFest XXVIII washeld from September 28 - 30, 2018 at SpelmanCollege in Atlanta, Georgia (Region A). MonicaStephens (Spelman College) and Edray Goins werethe main organizers, while Ulrica Wilson (More-house College) and Helen Grundman (AmericanMathematical Society) assisted with the planningand fundraising. The conference was supportedby the National Science Foundation (NSF) underGrant No. 1833234.
Participant Demographics
NAM has five meetings every year: the JointMathematics Meetings in the Winter; and the Re-gional Faculty Conference on Research and Teach-ing Excellence (FCRTE) in the Spring; the Com-putational Sciences Institute in the Early SummerFall; the MAA MathFest in the Late Summer; theNAM MathFest in the Fall. NAM’s UndergraduateMATHFest is a three-day meeting, typically Friday
through Sunday in the Fall, which rotates aroundthe country based on NAM’s regional structure. Itis held annually to encourage students to pursueadvanced degrees in mathematics and mathematicseducation. The conference is geared for undergrad-uates from Historically Black Colleges and Univer-sities (HBCUs), although all are welcome to attend.
Undergraduate MATHFest consists of five com-ponents: (1) Student Talks, (2) Poster Presenta-tions, (3) a Graduate Fair, (4) Problem Time withDr. Cooper, and (5) the J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture.This year, we had over 150 participants – under-graduate students, graduate students, and facultyalike. Some 143 participants had pre-registered forthe conference, where 87 were women, 56 were men,and 105 identified as Black or African American.Nine students spoke, and thirteen students pre-sented posters. 27 schools were represented: AllenUniversity, American University, Belmont Univer-sity, Elizabeth City State University, Florida A&MUniversity, Georgia Institute of Technology, Hamp-ton University, Howard University, Iowa State Uni-versity, Morehouse College, Morgan State Univer-sity, North Carolina A&T State University, PomonaCollege, Prairie State College, Savannah State Uni-versity, Southern University at New Orleans, South-ern University at Baton Rouge, Spelman College,Tennessee State University, Texas Southern Univer-sity, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Univer-sity of California at Riverside, University of Mas-sachusetts, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
14 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
University of San Diego, University of Texas atArlington, University of the District of Columbia,Virginia State University, and Xavier University ofLouisiana.
Shakuan Frankson (left) and Myka Terry
Presentations and Talks
There were nine talks given by undergraduate andgraduate students which lasted 30-minutes each.
• Michael English (Clark Atlanta University) spokeon On the Analysis of Cycles in the Symmet-ric Group, a project supervised by Dr. TorinaD. Lewis (Clark Atlanta)
• Paige Helms (University of California at River-side) spoke on SL2(Z) Action on Some Genus g
Surfaces
• Sofia Martinez Alberga (University of Californiaat Riverside) spoke on E-Positivity and Unique-ness of Chromatic Symmetric Functions
• Kaila Crosse (University of Michigan at Ann Ar-bor) spoke on Application of Grobner Bases inGraph Theory
• Shakuan Frankson (Howard University) andMyka Terry (Morgan State University) spoke onInvestigating First Returns: The Effect Of Mul-ticolored Vectors
• Damien Burks (Texas Southern University) spokeon Cryptographic Vulnerabilities in Network Pro-tocols
• Ariana N. Brown (Spelman College) spoke on TheFibonacci Sequence in 21st Century Pop Music
• FranChell Davison (Texas Southern University)spoke on Dynamics of a mathematical model forfour-state binocular rivalry
• Maya Jones (Spelman College) spoke on Process-ing Speed as the Moderator in the Link BetweenExecutive Functioning and Math Achievement
Damien Burks
There was a friendly competition for the mostoutstanding oral presentation. UndergraduatesDamien Burks (Texas Southern University), PaigeHelms (University of California at Riverside), andSofia Martinez Alberga (University of California atRiverside) each received book prizes from the Amer-ican Mathematical Society for Outstanding OralPresentations. FranChell Davison (Texas SouthernUniversity), a graduate student, received a Speak-ing Awards from the NSF-Funded Mathematics In-stitutes. This award provides a certificate, and re-imbursement for the winner’s expenses to attendone scientific workshop at any of the nine NSF-Funded Math Institutes during the 18 months fol-lowing MATHFest XXVIII. Judges who assistedwith these prizes were faculty members KennethJones (Elizabeth City State University), RhondaVonshay Sharpe (Women’s Institute for Science,
NAM Newsletter 15
Volume L Number 1
Equity and Race), Bhikhari Tharu (Spelman Col-lege, and Sindhu Unnithan (Xavier University ofLouisiana).
Edray Goins (left) presenting awards to SofiaMartinez Alberga, Paige Helms, and Damien
Burks
Students also had the opportunity to presentposters outlining their research. The Poster Sessiontook place Saturday afternoon from 3:30 PM - 5:00PM. There were thirteen posters in this session:
• Mikaili Abdullah (Morehouse College) and DaL-isa Nanelle Denham (Virginia State University)presented on Chemovirotherapy
• Lyric Bell (Spelman College) and Bhikhari Tharu(Spelman College) presented on Statistical Mod-eling of AIDS Diagnosis of the USA by Ages
• Cahron Cross (Prairie State College) presentedJointly Ranked Prime-Reciprocal Sums and Nat-ural Logarithms
• Joel Goddot, III (Virginia State University)and Jasper Short, III (Virginia State Univer-sity)presented on Uniform stabilization of a non-linear fluid-structure interaction model to a non-trivial equilibrium
• Samuel Hood (Morehouse College) presented onTanh Activations in Image Classification
• Stephanie Obwar (Spelman College) andBhikhari Tharu (Spelman College) presented onDisparities in College Enrollment in the USA byGender and Race
• Kessiena Ofunrein (Hampton University) pre-sented Statistical Analysis and GeographicalClustering of Los Angeles County Arrests
• Chanae Ottley (Florida A&M University) pre-sented on Using Social Media to Aid in ParkManagement
• Marqus Parker (North Carolina A&T StateUniversity) presented on Multi-ConstellationalGlobal Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)RINEX Parser
• Catherine Rono (Spelman College) and BhikhariTharu (Spelman College) presented on Dispro-portional College Enrollment in the USA by Raceand Gender
• Joshua Sparks (Morehouse College) presented onBroken Mirrors: Exploring the Fragmentation ofIdentity in Mathematics Education Research
• Lydia Wheatfall (Virginia State University) pre-sented on Blueberries: Finding the antioxidantwith near infrared spectroscopy
• Mack Williams (Xavier University of Louisiana)presented on Exploring Essential TranscriptionFactor Genes In Lymphoma Cell Lines to Un-derstand Oncogene Enhancer Regulation
Catherine Rono
There was also a friendly competition for the mostoutstanding poster presentation. UndergraduatesMikaili Abdullah (Morehouse College), Joel God-dot, III (Virginia State University), and MarqusParker (North Carolina A&T State University) eachreceived book prizes from the American Mathemat-ical Society for Outstanding Poster Presentations.Judges who assisted with these prizes were facultymembers Shinemin Lin (Savannah State Univer-sity), Phyllis Okwan (Southern University, BatonRouge), Kenuatra Smith (Southern University, Ba-ton Rouge), and Lila Ghemri (Texas Southern Uni-versity).
16 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
Kessiena Ofunrein
The 2018 J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture was givenon Friday, September 28, 2018 by Michelle Crad-dock Guinn, Associate Professor of Mathematics atBelmont University. Her talk was titled EnhancingImagery Techniques. The presentation was follow-ing by a reception sponsored by the Education andDiversity Department of the American Mathemati-cal Society (AMS).
Robert Bozeman (left) and Duane Cooper
Other Activities
There were several panel discussions:
• The Next Step: REUs and Internshipsfeatured Duane Cooper (Morehouse Col-lege), Leona Harris (University of District ofColumbia), and Monica Jackson (AmericanUniversity)
• Applying to Graduate School featuredFranChell Davidson (Texas Southern Univer-sity), Lydia Wheatfall (Virginia State Univer-sity), Dwight Williams (University of Texasat Arlington), and Derek Young (Iowa StateUniversity)
• Math Institutes Town Hall was agathering for the faculty who at-tended MATHFest; it was run byUlrica Wilson (Morehouse College / ICERM)
Monica Jackson (left), Duane Cooper, and LeonaHarris
Throughout the conference, students were presentedchallenge problems through sessions called ProblemTime with Dr. Cooper . Students with correct solu-tions were presented book prizes from the AmericanMathematical Society. Universities had an opportu-nity to showcase their graduate programs and inter-act with undergraduate students in a two-hour fair.The Graduate Fair took place Saturday afternoonfrom 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM.
NAM Newsletter 17
Volume L Number 1
Duane Cooper (left) for “Problem Time”
Student Presenting Solution for “Problem Time”
Sylvia Bozeman (left), Nagambal Shah, andMonica Stephens
Edray Herber Goins is the Pres-
ident of NAM. He can be reached at
NAM Undergraduate MATHFest XXVIII Group Photo (courtesy of Karen Lamassonne)
A team of graduate student researchers from Teachers College, Columbia University con-ducted short interviews (between 5 - 10 minutes) with NAM members about their experi-ences with NAM and mathematics in general. We’d like to thank everyone who participated - 30folks so far! If you’d like to be interviewed, it’s not too late - these stories will be used to help update theMathematicians of the African Diaspora website and to produce a podcast on the history and impact ofNAM. Please email Dr. Erica Walker [email protected] if you would like to participate, and a member ofthe production team will get in touch with you to set up an interview by phone or videoconference.
18 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
Returning to Research: A Personal Journey Through REUFby Jamylle Laurice Carter
When Ulrica Wilson (Morehouse Col-lege/ICERM) asked me to apply for the ResearchExperiences for Undergraduate Faculty (REUF)workshop in July 2016 at the American Institute ofMathematics (AIM) in San Jose, California, I fig-ured, “What the heck? Why not?” I scrapped mypotential plans for the week because I knew that itwould be a great career opportunity. Plus, Wilsonand I had been friends for nearly two decades. Yearsago she had encouraged me to run for the positionof Community College Member on the NAM Boardof Directors, so I figured that she wouldnt steer mewrong this time. I had no idea how powerful thisopportunity would be.
REUF is a program for undergraduate facultywho are interested in mentoring undergraduate re-search. As stated on the REUF website, “The goalsof REUF are:
• To provide faculty participants with a re-search experience investigating open questionsin the mathematical sciences
• To equip participants to engage in researchwith undergraduate students at their home in-stitutions
• To foster long-term research collaborationsamong some of the faculty participants
• To establish a network of faculty at primar-ily undergraduate institutions together withfaculty at research universities who supportcollaboration and undergraduate research”
My personal goal was to reintroduce myself toresearch-level mathematics. I am a professor ofmathematics at Diablo Valley College (DVC), atwo-year publicly supported community college inthe Contra Costa Community College District inthe San Francisco Bay Area in California. At DVCresearch is optional, not mandatory, for tenure.While I was gladly pursuing my interests in ed-ucation, I was missing my community of researchmathematicians from graduate school and from mypostdoctoral fellowships.
After I was accepted into the REUF program,I learned that one of the three workshop researchleaders was from Purdue University, which (at thetime) was the home institution of NAM PresidentEdray Goins. Goins encouraged me to work withhis friend and colleague Mark Daniel Ward, who isnow a professor of statistics and (by courtesy) ofmathematics.
My REUF team of undergraduate faculty in-cluded Bret Benesh (College of Saint Benedict andSaint John’s University), Deidra Coleman (Wof-ford College), and Jennifer Travis (Lone Star Col-lege - North Harris). Ward introduced us to sub-traction games, a topic in impartial combinato-rial game theory. We spent some time learn-ing from Part I of Thomas S. Fergusons bookGame Theory, which is freely available online:https://www.math.ucla.edu/~tom/Game_Theory/
Contents.html
NAM Newsletter 19
Volume L Number 1
In a subtraction game, two players remove chipsfrom a pile, according to a pre-defined set ofrules. For instance, if the allowed subtraction setis {2, 4, 7}, then a player is allowed to remove ei-ther 2, 4, or 7 chips on the players turn. Eventuallythe number of available chips is too small to makea move; for instance, if 0 or 1 chips remain, thecurrent player is stuck.
For every possible pile size, we assign a Nimvalue. These Nim values are defined recursively,and we will not get into that here. Combinatorialgame theorists know that if the subtraction set isfinite, then no matter how many chips are left, theanalogous Nim values will always (eventually) startto repeat. We want to investigate questions suchas: How long will it take before the repeating partof the pattern begins? How long is the period ofrepetition?
Our research team has been investigating thesequestions since summer 2016. We are classifying theperiod lengths of Nim values in subtraction gameswith a subtraction set of size three.
Our REUF team continues to work so well to-gether that we meet (almost) every week by videoconference. Ward also added more team mem-bers from Purdue University to help us visualizethe data: undergraduates Jack Good and MichaelSmith, and Senior Academic IT Specialist DougCrabill.
Amazingly, we have been able to predict thelengths of the repeating patterns without using thetraditional recursive strategy of rendering the pat-
terns! We have taken a data-driven approach. Wehave rendered 72 PB of data, and stored 6 Terabytesof this data. We generated all the lengths of therepeating Nim values for all triples {x, y, z} withx < y < z ≤ 16, 384. In other words, we analyzed732,873,539,584 triples. This is even more remark-able when we point out that each such triple hasan entire sequence of Nim values that we had tocalculate.
Our team has gathered at various places andwith various subsets of the members several timessince our initial 2016 gathering at AIM. We havehosted meetings at Purdue University and at Wof-ford College, as well as a second meeting at AIM in2017 (as a follow-up to our 2016 REUF program).
This REUF program has reminded me how itfeels to struggle with mathematics, to keep askingquestions that may have been answered a year (ormore) ago, and to show up even when I feel over-whelmed with teaching and service and unpreparedfor research. Ward and my colleagues have wel-comed and patiently answered all questions. Theatmosphere is always one of “You don’t understand?Let’s figure it out. instead of “You dont under-stand? You figure it out. We have created an in-clusive space for discovery, mistakes, laughter, andinsight.
I am delighted to have a second chance withresearch-level mathematics, and (more important)an expanded community of open, kind, diligent,generous, and brilliant mathematicians. I feel fortu-nate to have established such a positive connection,and I look forward to our mathematical futures to-gether.
Jamylle Laurice Carter is a profes-
sor of mathematics at Diablo Valley Com-
munity College and NAM’s community col-
lege representative. She can be reached at
20 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
NAM Newsletter 21
Volume L Number 1
An Existence Proof: Mathematicians of the African DiasporaWebsite, Part II
by Erica Walker, Scott Williams, and Robin Wilson
(Part I appeared in the Winter issue of the NAM newsletter)
REFLECTIONS,Scott Williams
Over thirty years ago, in 1997, I began thewebsite Mathematicians of the African Diaspora orMAD. As a child I was struck by the emphasis,within the general American culture, upon achieve-ments in the Sports/Entertainment Industry as in-dications of success. Within the African Americansubculture, those indications are even stronger - justconsider the winners of the NAACP Image Awardsamong other celebrations. On the rare occasion ascientist has won an award, there has been a lim-itation to the medical field. In addition, where itconcerns successes in mathematics and the sciences,I discovered much incorrect or misconstrued infor-mation available in texts and especially on the web.
The impetus for creating MAD was a desire tosuggest modern Mathematicians and Scientists asimages of success to present to the African Amer-ican community. My steadfast personal view overthe years has been thinking precisely has more classthan looking good. As mathematicians’ interestoften vary, I added both Computer Science andPhysics to the web site before those fields begantheir own projects of this nature. For some yearsI also provided a location for data on The AfricanNational Congress.
My qualifications include 7 years in the segre-gated Baltimore public schools (5 more as a guineapig in ‘desegregated’ schools), 4 years of excellentundergraduate mathematics training with research
orientation at a historically Black College, 4 yearsof graduate training with research orientation, nu-merous Master’s Degree students (at PennsylvaniaState University, Ohio University, and the Univer-sity of Buffalo), four Ph.D. students, four decadesas a research mathematician with interests in Topol-ogy, Logic and Dynamics, an American mathemati-cians group and member (1997) of the Council of theAfrican American Researchers in the MathematicalSciences, a personal library of thousands of booksby Africans and African Americans, and an interestin history.
What problems did I encounter other than debtsto my personal time?
• At a time when web space was measuredin kilobytes and megabytes, my department(SUNY at Buffalo) opened gigabytes for myweb space use in this project, yet I was unableto obtain financial resources, inside or out-side the university, to aid my efforts. Duringthe 2006 Black History Month, MAD receivedfour hundred thousand visitors and nearly tenthousand emails.
• I am thankful that my department chairsagreed to provide legal help in the project.I received a number of legal threats fromindividuals who did not wish to be knownas African American Mathematicians, andfrom individuals who deemed the project asracist. Positive acknowledgements have beenreceived from The Chronicle of Higher Educa-tion, The New York Times, USA Today andScience Magazine to name a few; however, Imust thank the more than twenty million vis-itors to the website, it is they that have ex-hibited its worth.
Scott W. WilliamsMathematics Professor EmeritusThe University at Buffalo, SUNY
22 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
IMPACT OF THE MAD PAGES,Erica Walker
I don’t recall how I first was introduced to theMAD website, but as a mathematics educator in-terested in history and historical developments inmathematics, it was crucial to expanding my knowl-edge base about Black mathematicians. MAD,quite wonderfully, had extensive citations and linksto important archival documents, books, articles,and other texts that have been critical to my ownwork and research as a professor of mathemat-ics education. It was here that one could easilyfind information about Black mathematicians in theUnited States and around the world, informationthat was unfortunately for many years missing fromthe broader discourse about mathematicians andtheir work. It was here that one could learn aboutthe role of organizations and institutions in the de-velopment of initiatives that increased the partici-pation of African Americans in mathematics. Andit was here that I first learned of Thomas Fuller,an important historical figure who has become cen-tral to my own research exploring the formative,educational, and professional experiences of mathe-maticians in the United States. Fuller has served asa central metaphor for the work I do around equityin mathematics education – his life underscores thatmathematics talent can often go unrecognized andunrewarded. But for a twist of fate, many moreof us would know Thomas Fuller’s name in addi-tion to, say, that of Benjamin Banneker. BecauseBanneker was born free and was literate, we knowmuch of his mathematical experiences and contri-butions to US history. Fuller died as an enslavedperson: indeed, as his obituary posted on the MADwebsite notes: “Had his opportunity been equal tothose of thousands of his fellow men, even a Newtonhimself should have shamed to acknowledge him abrother in science”. In many speeches and talks, Ihave posed the question to mathematics teachers,
administrators, and researchers alike – ‘Are thereFullers among us?” – and exhorted them to con-duct policy, practice, and research that seeks to fo-cus on excellence, rather than failure, and to workto ensure all students have the opportunity to learnrigorous and meaningful mathematics.
The existence of this website helped to reframefor me and many others the truth of black excellencein mathematics. It made visible people that were inmany ways invisible to the canon of mathematicalthought and production in the United States andaround the world.
MAD’s importance as an educational tool mustalso be acknowledged. It is here that someonecan get pleasantly lost exploring intriguing histor-ical developments, as well as learning about therange of areas of mathematics study. For manyof the profiles, there were compelling stories toldby mathematicians about their early lives, whichfor me spurred new ideas about how we develop as“mathematical persons”. It has spawned researchon deeper understanding of the role of family mem-bers in mathematicians’ development, for example.(So many mathematicians tell stories about unclesand aunts exposing them to mathematics!). It ishere where one can see the impact of particular in-stitutions, which over generations demonstrate anadmirable capacity to develop, hone, and supportmathematicians’ talents. And it is here where onecan trace the influence of influential mentors andteachers, who direct and affect the careers of theirstudents and their students’ students.
Without MAD, it would have been much harderto engage in my major program of research thathas emerged over the last decade. It was, for manyyears until very recently, the only place where onecould look up the term “black mathematician” andsee that there were numerous people who fit thatdescription. Although we don’t have empirical ev-idence about how many schoolchildren and otherstudents used the website for research of this type,I suspect that it was a substantial number.
With the new MAD website it is my hope thatthe spirit of MAD lives on – as an important livingand breathing space for the documentation of his-torical and contemporary events that captures theessence of the triumphs and travails of black math-
NAM Newsletter 23
Volume L Number 1
ematicians in the US and around the world. And Ihope we are able to capture impressions of who vis-its the website, and why. As a teaching tool aboutmathematics, history, the meanings of what it isto be a mathematician, and how to inspire othersto participate in the world of mathematics MADis unparalleled. It has significant interdisciplinaryreach – addressing those with interests in history,sociology, policy as well as mathematics. ProfessorScott Williams has done a great service for all of us
in mathematics and mathematics education – andbeyond – with this incredible resource.
Erica N WalkerProfessor of Mathematics EducationTeachers College, Columbia University
Erica Walker and Scott Williams are repre-
sentatives from the NAM Editorial Board to Discuss
Policies on the MAD Pages. Send correspondences
to Erica Walker at [email protected]. �
Job OpeningsDepartment of Mathematics – Syracuse University The Department of Mathematics, Syra-
cuse University, seeks to fill one tenure-track position in the area of Analysis at the assistantprofessor level, beginning August 2019. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise inMathematical Material Science/Applied Analysis.
This recruitment is part of an ambitious Invest Syracuse Cluster Hire Initiative in the broad areaof Bio-enabled Science and Technology. As an integral part of this investment, Syracuse Universitywill recruit multiple candidates for faculty positions for a research cluster in the focus area of MaterialScience. Faculty hired in these positions will build on our existing strengths in Non-linear Analysis(http://math.syr.edu/research/analysis.html) and will participate in an organized research clusterthat spans multiple departments of College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering.
A PhD in a related field is required; PhD in Mathematics is preferred. Post-doc training is alsopreferred. Candidates should have a record of accomplishment and potential I both research and teaching.
The department seeks candidates whose research, teaching, or service has prepared them to contributeto our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Applications must be done in two steps: Step 1: Candidates must submit an online faculty applicationwith a CV at https://www.sujobopps.com (job # 074291) Step 2: Candidates must submit a cover letter,CV, a research and a teaching statement, three letters of recommendation addressing research qualifica-tions, and at least one letter of recommendation addressing teaching at http://www.mathjobs.org/jobs).Screening of candidates begins February 1, 2019 and continues until the position is filled.
Syracuse University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to equality
of opportunity and a diverse work force. Women, military veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members
of other traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Colby College Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Two visiting assistant professor positions in mathematics, September 1, 2019 June 30, 2020. We seekoutstanding teachers with research interests that closely mesh with those of the continuing mathematicsfaculty in the department. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in mathematics and must have significantteaching experience as instructors of record. Please see our full ad athttp://www.colby.edu/mathstats/faculty-searches/ for more information and application instruc-tions. All materials should be submitted online athttps://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/jobs/13727. Review of applications will begin on April 1, 2019, andwill continue until the position is filled.
24 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
Events of Interest to NAM MembersA complete list of events containing these and more can be found online:
https://www.nam-math.org/upcoming-activities.html
The 2019 Faculty Conference on Researchand Teaching Excellence (FCRTE) will be heldApril 26 -27, 2019 at Texas Southern University.Dr. Willie Taylor will give the Bharucha-ReidLecture and Roderick Holmes is the local orga-nizer. The conference consists of five components:A Short Course in Computational Science, The Al-bert Turner Bharucha-Reid Lecture, RecognitionBanquet, Contributed Talks, and a Regional PanelDiscussion.
More information can be found at the web sitehttps://www.nam-math.org/fcrte.html.
More information can be found at the web sitewww.nationalmathfestival.org/2019-festival/.
The SIAM Conference on Applicationsof Dynamical Systems (DS19) will take placeon 19-23 May 2019 at the Snowbird Ski andSummer Resort in Snowbird, Utah, USA. Al-though abstract submissions have passed, pre-registration is open until 22 April. In addi-tion to a scientifically exciting conference andfantastic invited speakers from dynamical sys-tems and its applications, the conference includesa mentoring session and other activities. Formore information, go to the conference website athttps://www.siam.org/conferences/CM/Main/ds19.
2019 MAA-NAM Blackwell Lecture Dr.Johnny Houston, Elizabeth City State University,will give the David Harold Blackwell Lecture atthe 2019 MAA MathFest on Friday August 2, 2019in Cincinnati, OH. His lecture is titled, Dudeney’sNo Three-In-Line Problem, Solutions, Progress, andConjectures.
April 15-17, 2019 the American Institute ofMathematics (AIM) in San Jose, California is or-ganizing a workshop, sponsored by both AIM andthe National Science Foundation (NSF) to preparewomen and underrepresented minorities for work inacademia, industry, and government laboratories.Senior professionals will provide insight on thingsthey wish someone had told them before they leftgraduate school. The workshop will target mathe-maticians at various stages of their careers, includ-ing graduate students and postdocs.Applicationsare open to all, and we especially encouragewomen, underrepresented minorities, junior math-ematicians, and researchers from primarily under-graduate institutions to apply. Applications canbe found here: https://aimath.org/cgi-bin/
participantapply.prl?workshop=763 . Appli-cation review will begin February 1, 2019, apply byFebruary 22, 2019.
NAM Newsletter 25
Volume L Number 1
The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) at Brown University:
To learn more about ICERM programs, organizers, program participants, to submit a proposal, or to submit an application,
please visit our website: https://icerm.brown.edu
Organizing Committee:
Yanlai Chen, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Serkan Gugercin, Virginia Tech
Misha Kilmer, Tufts University
Yvon Maday, Université Pierre et Marie Curie
Shari Moskow, Drexel University
Akil Narayan, University of Utah
Daniele Venturi, University of California, Santa Cruz
Program Description:
Today’s computational and experimental paradigms feature complex models along with disparate and, frequently, enormous data sets. This necessitates the development of theoretical and computational strategies for efficient and robust numerical algorithms that effectively resolve the important features and characteristics of these complex computational models. The desiderata for resolving the underlying model features is often application-specific and combines mathematical tasks like approximation, prediction, calibration, design, and optimization. Running simulations that fully account for the variability of the complexities of modern scientific models can be infeasible due to the curse of dimensionality, chaotic behavior or dynamics, and/or overwhelming streams of informative data.
This program will integrate diverse fields of mathematical analysis, statistical sciences, data and computer science, and specifically attract researchers working on model order reduction, data-driven model calibration and simplification, computations and approximations in high dimensions, and data-intensive uncertainty quantification. Various workshops will be designed to stimulate interaction between these research areas and establish cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Model and dimension reduction in uncertain and dynamic systemsICERM Semester Program: January 27 - May 1, 2020
26 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
"#$%&'()'*(+,-.(/)#0*(12(31$4(**4MAA Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is a year-long professional development program for new
or recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences. �e program is designed to connect new faculty with expert
teachers and leaders in the mathematics community and address the three main aspects of an academic career:
teaching, research, and service.
Recent program sessions have included:
• getting your research and grant-writing o to a good start,
• innovative teaching and assessment methods and why they work,
• !nding your niche in the profession,
• attracting and retaining underrepresented students,
• balancing teaching, research, and service demands,
• starting an undergraduate research program, and
• preparing for tenure.
MAA Project NExT Fellows join an active
community of faculty who have become
award-winning teachers, innovators on
their campuses, active members of the
MAA, and leaders in the profession.
MAA Project NExT welcomes and
encourages applications from new and
recent PhDs in postdoctoral, tenure-
track, and visiting positions. We
particularly encourage applicants from
underrepresented groups, including
women and minorities. Applications for
the 2019 cohort of MAA Project NExT
Fellows are due on April 15, 2019 and can
be found at 5416*&)%*-)78##7140.
955:;&#);1%(<*#<:;%*=
954;:(!>?(@A!B
5416*&)%*-)78##7140
5416*&)%*-)C8##7140
Project NExTers at MAA
MathFest in Denver.
NAM Newsletter 29
Volume L Number 1
June 25-28, 2019: The
Paramount Hotel, Portland, OR
July 9-12, 2019: Staybridge
Suites, Los Angeles, CA
30 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
JUNE 2–8, 2019
Geometric Representation Theory & Equivariant
Elliptic Cohomology
JUNE 9–15, 2019
Stochastic Spatial Models
JUNE 16–22, 2019
Explicit Methods in Arithmetic Geometry
in Characteristic p
The Mathematics Research Communities (MRC) program helps early-
career mathematicians develop long-lasting cohorts for collaborative
research projects in many areas of mathematics.
Learn more atwww.ams.org/mrc Women and underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
We welcome applications for 2019!
Apply for funding and attend one of these one-week, collegial, hands-
on research conferences held at Whispering Pines Conference Center
in West Greenwich, Rhode Island in June 2019.
“The strong sense of community and collegiality was incredibly important. It was an easy group to socialize with, both on person-al and professional levels, and felt like an organic way to create long-lasting relationships.”
The MRC program is supported
by the AMS and a grant from the
National Science Foundation.
“The MRC far exceeded my expectations and I am grateful to have had the
experience. It has renewed my energy and excitement
in research.”
NAM Newsletter 31
Volume L Number 1
NAM Board of DirectorsPresidentDr. Edray Herber GoinsPomona [email protected]
Vice PresidentDr. Naiomi CameronLewis & Clark [email protected]
Secretary/TreasurerDr. Roselyn E. WilliamsFlorida A&M [email protected]
Executive DirectorDr. Leona HarrisUniversity of the District of [email protected]
Region A MemberDr. Chinenye O. OfodileAlbany State [email protected]
Region B MemberDr. Shea BurnsNorth Carolina A&T State [email protected]
Region C MemberDr. Jacqueline Brannon GilesHCCS / Texas Southern [email protected]
Community College MemberDr. Jamylle Laurice CarterDiablo Valley [email protected]
Majority Institution MemberDr. Michael YoungIowa State [email protected]
Outside of Academia MemberDr. Carla Cotwright-WilliamsDepartment of [email protected]
EditorDr. Omayra OrtegaSonoma State [email protected]
Ex-Officio President Emeritus
Dr. Nathaniel DeanTexas State University San [email protected]
Executive Secretary EmeritusDr. Johnny L. HoustonElizabeth City [email protected]
Region ASoutheast/West
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Region BMid-Atlantic
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Region CMidwest/Southwest
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32 NAM Newsletter
Spring 2019
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICIANS
MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION FORM
MEMBERSHIP CALENDAR YEAR: JANUARY 1, 2019 to DECEMBER 31, 2019
This form can also be completed online at https://www.nam-math.org/authenticate/register/
TITLE NAMEADDRESSINSTITUTION/EMPLOYERTELEPHONE: HOME ( ) OFFICE ( )FAX: ( ) E-MAIL ADDRESS
SELECT APPROPRIATE MEMBERSHIP TYPE
[ ] STUDENT: $30 [ ] INDIV’L: $50 [ ] LIFE: $500 [ ] GOLDEN LIFE: $1,000 [ ] INST’L: $150
GENERAL DONATION $GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN DONATION $
PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM AND MEMBERSHIP DUES TO:
Dr. Roselyn E. Williams, Secretary-Treasurer
National Association of MathematiciansP.O. Box 5766Tallahassee, FL 32314-5766
Office Phone: (850) 412-5236E-Mail: [email protected]: http://www.nam-math.org
INDIVIDUALS AND STUDENTS
Please complete below if you did not send NAM this information within the past three years. List alldegrees you currently hold. Circle the correct degree.
B.S. or B.A.: Area InstitutionM.S. or M.A.: Area InstitutionPh.D. or Ed.D.:Area InstitutionOther: Area
[ ] Institutional Representative (for NAM)[ ] Area or State Representative[ ] Committee Member (specify interest): Interest[ ] Need additional information about the organizational structure of NAM
RACE/ETHNICITY (Optional):
[ ] Asian [ ] Black [ ] Hispanic [ ] Native American [ ] Pacific Islander [ ] White [ ] Other
NAM Newsletter 33
Sprin
g2019
The National Association of
Mathematicians (NAM), Inc. is a non-profit
professional organization in the
mathematical sciences with membership
open to all.
NAM’s Mission• To promote excellence in the
mathematical sciences.
• To promote the mathematical
development of underrepresented
American minorities.
Endow a Program/Activity!
Listed below are full endowment amounts.
Undergraduate MATHFest $500,000
Computational Sc. Institute $250,000
Faculty Teaching & Research
Institute $250,000
Haynes-Granville-Browne
Colloquium Presentations
by new PhDs $125,000
Claytor-Woodard Lecture $125,000
Cox-Talbot Address $125,000
Albert T. Bharucha-Reid Lecture $125,000
J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture $125,000
David Blackwell Lecture $125,000
Clarence Stephens-Abdulalim
Shabazz Teaching Award $125,000
Archives $125,000
A gift of $25,000 or more will partially endow one
NAM annual program or activity.NAM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All gifts are tax deductible.Golden Anniversary Campaign Committee
Dr. Johnny L. Houston, Elizabeth City State
Univ., Co-Chair, [email protected]
252-267-2222
Dr. Sylvia T. Bozeman, Spelman College,
Co-Chair, [email protected]
Dr. Robert E. Bozeman, Morehouse College
Dr. Donald Cole, Univ. of Mississippi
Dr. William ‘Bill’ Hawkins, Univ. of D.C.
Dr. Emille D. Lawrence, Univ. of San Francisco
Dr. Sastry Pantula, California State University,
San Bernardino
NAM Executive Board’s Ex- Officio Members
WINTER: NAM National Meeting at the
JMM, Claytor-Woodard Lecture, Haynes-
Granville-Browne Colloquium of
Presentations by new PhDs, Cox-Talbot
Address and Stephens-Shabazz Teaching
Award
SPRING: Regional Faculty Conference,
Albert T. Bharucha-Reid Lecture
SUMMER: David Blackwell Lecture,
Summer Student Computational Science
Institute
Fall: Undergraduate MATHFest,
J. Ernest Wilkins Lecture
Major Activities by Season!
NAM Golden Anniversary
Campaign 2018-2019
The National Association of
Mathematicians (NAM) will celebrate its
50th Anniversary Year in 2019. During
2018 and 2019, NAM will conduct a
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN with
the goal of establishing an Endowment
Fund of at least $2 million to serve as base
support, ensuring vibrant annual programs
and activities for many years into the
future. During the campaign NAM expects
to:
• Increase its membership of Regular,
Life, Student, and Institutional
Members
• Endow several annual programs,
lectures, and other activities
• Solicit increased support from the
broader community, including friends,
philanthropists, foundations,
companies, and other supportive
enterprises.
How to Support the Campaign
• Fully or partially endow an annual
activity/program
• Encourage others to support the campaign
with full/partial endowments
• Give a gift in honor of or in memory of a
friend or colleague.
• Include NAM in your estate or future
planning.
Preserving the past while endowing for the future!
NA
MN
ew
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NAM Newsletter
c/o Dr. Omayra OrtegaDepartment of Mathematics and StatisticsSonoma State University1801 E. Cotati AveRohnert Park CA 94928
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Spring 2019