Welcome to the 2015 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)
Matt Boelkins (boelkinm at gvsu dot edu)
Marge Friar (friarm at gvsu dot edu)
Meet Kayla Kolbe, this years Outstanding Graduate
Kayla Kolbe, the daughter of a mathematics teacher and this year’s Outstanding Graduate in Mathematics, found Grand Valley to be the perfect place to bring together her love of mathematics and teaching. Read more about Kayla...
Francis Su delivers the second annual Mosaic Lecture
Francis Su, president of the Mathematical Association of America, entertained and inspired his Mosaic Lecture audience with his collection of “Favorite Math Fun Facts,” revealing mathematics as both a science and an art. Read more about Francis...
Amanda Plunkett visits as this year's Alumna in Residence
Using the knowledge she gained earning her math degree at Grand Valley, Amanda Plunkett has built a career in applied mathematics that includes international travel and continually learning and communicating about mathematics. Read more about Amanda...
Grand Valley students and faculty help create a Menger Sponge
Participating in the MegaMenger Sponge Project, Grand Valley students and faculty joined an international community in folding over a million business cards to create the world’s largest fractal. Read more about the MegaMenger...
Lisa Kasmer receives a Pew Teaching Excellence Award
From creating a study abroad program that takes GVSU students to Tanzania to mentoring a wide range of student research projects, Lisa Kasmer uses her passion for new ideas and new experiences to connect with and guide her students. Read more about Lisa...
Robert Talbert wins the Pew Teaching with Technology Award
While some may view technology as a collection of nifty gadgets, Robert Talbert sees the opportunity technology provides to build relationships among his students and to more deeply connect them to important mathematical ideas. Read more about Robert...
Students honored for their outstanding achievements
The mathematics department gathered on April 9 to say farewell to its graduates and to celebrate the accomplishments of many of its students. Read more about the Mathematics graduation...
Website highlights the achievements of many recent graduates
Included on the math department’s website are the stories of 17 recent graduates and how their mathematics degrees have led to an incredibly diverse range of opportunities and fulfilling careers. Read more about the Mathematics website...