JBU Students Win Arkansas Undergraduate Mathematics Competition
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. (March 30, 2016) – John Brown University mathematics students - Daniel Cho, senior, Emily Hacket, senior, Nathaniel Ritzman, sophomore, and Perry Tully, junior - took first place with a 43 point margin at the Arkansas Undergraduate Mathematics Competition (AUMC) at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
“JBU’s math teams face some great competition from other schools at the AUMC each year and we’re honored to be a part of it,” said Dr. Brian Greuel, chair of JBU’s Division of Natural Science. “The success of our students in this competition is a testament to the quality of our math program and the ability of our students to retain and apply the curriculum. It’s a great experience for our students and faculty.”
Students competed in teams of 2-4 with no calculators, computers, books or notes available to them on a three-hour, 10-question test. Teams received 10 points for every correct answer and partial credit for incomplete but significant work. JBU had two teams compete in the competition: the first JBU team won the competition with 74 points and the second JBU team tied with Harding University for third place at 20 points. The second place team from Hendrix College earned 31 points.
“The competition problems are always challenging and require our students to think very creatively and to use genuine problem-solving insight,” said Frank Blume, JBU professor of mathematics and team sponsor. “This year’s margin of victory in particular was astonishing. Add to that our other team’s third place finish, and our students’ overall performance this year is very positive.”
JBU has participated in the UAMS for 10 years. Other participating universities included Henderson State University and University of the Ozarks.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Ranked No. 2 among Southern regional colleges by U.S. News, JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 42 states and 39 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.
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