Author Archives: kasmana

A Talk Celebrating the Number π

My Favorite Thing(s) About π

A fun talk for π-Day(+1) by Professor Alex Kasman

Tuesday March 15, 2022 from 1-2PM in 223 Maybank Hall.

The presentation will be understood and enjoyed by anyone who has ever heard of the number π≈3.14.  A pie-based snack and free math department gifts will also be available.

With questions or for more information write to kasmana@cofc.edu.

Southeastern Lie Theory Conference Hosted at CofC

The College of Charleston Mathematics Department is hosting the Southeastern Lie Theory Workshop XII from October 15-17, 2021.

Lie Theory is named after mathematician Sophus Lie (pronounced like “Lee”) and is an area of abstract algebra with important applications in physics, mathematics, and beyond.  This conference brings many experts on this topic to Charleston for research talks and collaborations.  One day of the workshop is formally dedicated to the memory of Ben Cox, a CofC math professor who was an active researcher in this area.

For the schedule and other information, check out the conference website.

Honors College Students Explore Math Concepts Through an Artistic Lens

Most Honors College classes are designed to be interdisciplinary, with wide-ranging ideas and concepts mingling together in the classroom. This type of educational approach can at times make for some unexpected assignments. For instance, a math class probably isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a treasure trove of student artwork. But for Dr. Annalisa Calini‘s Spring 2021 Honors course, HONS 216 Conceptual Tour of Contemporary Mathematics, the arts proved to be an ideal medium through which to explore mathematical concepts.

“The creative world is full of mathematical ideas,” Professor Calini says. “Sometimes hidden from sight. As part of this course, the students were asked to explore a topic using the lens of their own interests and to bring it to light in their own creative voices.”

Click here for a sampling of the artistic assignments and projects the students turned in throughout the semester.

Math Grad Student Emma Collins wins CofC’s Master’s Thesis Award for 2020

At this afternoon’s graduate council meeting, it was announced that Emma Collins and her thesis “Existence Theory for Partial Differential Equations with Applications to Geology” have won the Graduate School of the College of Charleston’s Master’s Thesis Award for 2020.

It was judged in the category “Math, Physical Sciences, and Engineering” against 12 other theses from the Mathematical Sciences, Data Science, Computer Science and Environmental Science programs and found to be the best thesis of 2020.
Now Emma’s thesis advances to the regional level where it will compete in the same category at the regional level in the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools master’s thesis competition.  Congratulations to Emma and to Professor Dan Maroncelli, the thesis advisor.

George Haborak (1936-2020)

Sadly, we have lost another beloved member of our community;  George Haborak passed on October 26th surrounded by his loving family in Richmond Hill,  Georgia.

Dr. Haborak was hired as an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Department Chair in 1971. He was promoted to Professor in 1976.  He also served our community in administrative positions: as Assistant Dean of the College and Acting Dean of the College from 1971-1975; and as Senior Vice President for Student Affairs from 1979 until 2002.

Jeri Cabot who currently holds that position recalled:

“George was a remarkable man.  He built student affairs at the College of Charleston from the ground up.  His work in student affairs was guided by the principles of student development, especially experiential learning and respect for diverse talents.  He would take the time to send you handwritten notes recognizing something you did no matter how minor the act may have been.   He always ended his notes with “Thank you for all you do for our students.” 

After serving as the Dean of Student Affairs, George briefly returned to the Math Department for a few years and retired from the College in 2005.

Chloe Mattila and Joe Brennan Receive 2020 Sue Prazak Award

Congratulations to Joe Brennan and Chloe Mattila, joint recipients of the 2020 Prazak Award.

This award its named for Sue Prazak, a beloved former CofC math professor known for her talent as an amazing teacher and who sadly died earlier this year.  The award is given each year to exceptional math majors who intend to teach mathematics.

Two Mathematical Finance Related Announcements

Congratulations to Sonia Kopel, a former CofC math major and math grad student.  Sonia, who now works at Citibank, was selected as Alumna of the Month by the Graduate School.  For more information about her, see this announcement (and be sure to watch the video in which she talks about the way her mathematics training prepared her for her career in finance).

Any math students who want to follow in her footsteps might be interested in attending the Virtual Finance Careers Seminar on November 6th.  (Click here to register or see flyer below.) The seminar will feature special guest, Dean Shao, as well as Cory Werkheiser from the Student Success Center. After a brief introduction, students will be able to “Choose Your Path” and enter breakout rooms featuring the following career paths and professionals.

Kate Owens has two articles in the latest MAA Focus

Congratulations to Math Department associate chair Kate Owens who co-authored two articles:

  • “How We Moved a Conference Online”, about the recent Mastery Grading conference
  • “Talk Math With Your Friends, A Virtual Colloquium”, about the online Zoom math colloquium series she co-founded

You can read them here.