Source: Todd Cochrane, 785-532-0565, cochrane@k-state.edu

Monday, April 20, 2009

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS EARN SEVERAL K-STATE STUDENTS HONORS IN S. THOMAS PARKER MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- Seven Kansas State University students have earned honors in K-State's 11th annual S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition.

The competition, part of activities nationwide to promote Mathematics Awareness Month, was March 28 at K-State. Funded by the S. Thomas Parker endowment and the K-State Math Club, the competition is open to all full-time K-State students in their first or second year of college as way to encourage and strengthen mathematics skills and to promote mathematics education among all K-State students.

Students are given three hours to solve four problems, ranging from high school-level mathematics to mathematics at the second-year college level.

Students placing in the competition earned monetary awards, which were presented at the annual Friends of Mathematics banquet April 7. This year's awards included $250 to the two first-place winners, $100 for third place, $40 for fourth place and $20 for honorable mention.

More information about the competition is available online at:
http://www.math.ksu.edu/main/events/parker-mathcomp

2009 S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition winners at K-State included:

Jessica Hennes, freshman in civil engineering, Berryton, honorable mention; Brian Moore, freshman in mathematics and electrical engineering, Hutchinson, co-first place winner; Jacob Reimer, sophomore in mechanical engineering, Kalvesta, honorable mention; Ashton Archer, sophomore in mechanical engineering and political science, Lucas, honorable mention.

From Manhattan: Mengna Chen, junior in mathematics and statistics, fourth place; Dongkai Cheng, freshman in electrical engineering, co-first place winner; and Trent Thurston, sophomore in mechanical engineering, third place.