Welcome to the 2009 Mackinac Gazette. We hope that you enjoy these stories about our students, alumni, and faculty. Please note that past newsletters are available through the links at the left. If you have a suggestion for a story for a future newsletter, we would love to hear from you; please feel free to contact any of the editors.
Editors:
David Austin (austind at gvsu dot edu)
Esther Billings (billinge at gvsu dot edu)
Matt Boelkins (boelkinm at gvsu dot edu)
Remembering Don VanderJagt
Don VanderJagt's career spanned most of Grand Valley's history. Ted Sundstrom recalls Don's leadership and friendship. Read more about Don
The "No-Problem" People
Auto-Owners Insurance in Lansing hires many Grand Valley math graduates. Alumnus Darlene Miller tells us why it holds on to them. Read more about Darlene
Meet the Outstanding (and Responsible) Senior Geoff Patterson
When Geoff Patterson came to GVSU to study film and video, he had no idea that he'd end up majoring in mathematics, much less leaving as the math department's 2009 outstanding graduate. Read more about Geoff
Senior Sally Beemon spends a semester in the UK
With her lifelong love for travel, a semester abroad in Great Britain fit Sally Beemon perfectly, and proved to be a fitting capstone on her undergraduate education. Read more about Sally
Students feted for their outstanding achievements
The mathematics department recently gathered to honor some of its top students with awards and scholarships. Read more about the awards and scholarships
History of mathematics at Grand Valley comes alive at new web site
Ted Sundstrom thought on a long driving trip: "We have to tell our story." The result? A new web site chronicling the history of mathematics at Grand Valley. Read more about our new website
Meet new faculty member Levi Molenje
Levi Molenje, a mathematics educator interested in the role of technology in learning mathematics, brings his secondary and college teaching experiences in Kenya to our department. Read more about Levi
Mobiles and Martingales: Meet Jiyeon Suh
Originally from South Korea, new faculty member Jiyeon Suh joins the math department, bringing her passion for teaching and a black belt in Taekwondo. Read more about Jiyeon Suh
New affiliate faculty member Bethany Welling a familiar face on campus
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Bethany Welling joined on as an affiliate faculty member this year, though she is a familiar colleague to many of us as she has been teaching mathematics courses at GVSU for the past 20 years. Read more about Bethany
Will's the man to pack a can
Will Dickinson's research with undergraduates has found the most efficient way to pack cans into a box. The national press is taking notice. Read more about Will