Pi Mu Epsilon hosts second annual fall pizza party

​​​The event, which saw a total of 39 students and faculty participating, was planned, promoted, and executed by PME’s enthusiastic officers: Jaclyn DeVincent ’15, Maggie Macdonald ’15, Sarah Neuhauser ’15, and Amy Wagoner ’14.  

As students gathered on the 2nd floor of the Duke building, they were greeted by PME officers and several faculty from the department of mathematics and statistics, including Jim Beuerle, Kirstie Doehler, Kristen Mazur, Alan Russell, and Chad Awtrey.

In addition to free pizza, attendees also enjoyed homemade desserts made by mathematics major Maddie Edwards ’15. Of the 15 students who stayed until the end, four lucky ones were chosen to receive door prizes (see picture); three received Starbucks gift cards and one received a $25 Visa Gift Card.

The highlight of the evening was an interactive lecture by assistant professor of mathematics Kristen Mazur.  Mazur led an activity that engaged attendees in the playing of various 2-person mathematical games. Students and faculty competed against one another to discover a winning strategy for each game, resulting in much concentration and laughter (see picture below). At just the right moment, Mazur would introduce snippets of mathematical theory that would gradually reveal winning strategies.

PME’s faculty advisor Chad Awtrey concluded the evening by promoting the honor society’s next three events: special guest lectures from prominent mathematicians. 

These events will be held on the following Wednesdays, from 3:30-4:30p.m., in the Duke building (room assignments will be posted in the Duke building one week before each lecture):

• Oct. 1 — Jeremy Rouse (Wake Forest University)
• Oct. 29 — Jim Brown (Clemson University)
• Nov. 19 — Todd Mateer (National Security Agency)

All in the Elon community are welcome and encouraged to attend these colloquium talks, which are aimed at a general, educated audience.  In addition to their presentations, Jim Brown will discuss aspects of Clemson’s graduate program, and Todd Mateer will highlight informative details of working at the NSA, including internships and full-time employment opportunities.