Technician
wednesday april
7
2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Sororities promote unity between chapters Annual Panhellenic Week focuses on unison among chapters and the University community Joanna Banegas Staff Writer
This week the N.C. State Panhellenic Association will host its annual Panhellenic Week to unite chapters and benefit the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research. Jennifer Moore, president of the Panhellenic Association, said they are having sisterhood events throughout the week in an effort to bring the Panhellenic community together. The Panhellenic Executive Board hosted an information session in the Brickyard this past Monday for those interested in participating in Formal Recruitment next fall.
“On Monday we had a call-out meeting in which all the sororities had stations set up for freshmen who were thinking about registering in the fall,” Moore said. “Freshmen and sophomores were able to find out more information about the chapters and learn a little bit more about formal recruitment.” Tuesday, the Panhellenic Association had a Moe’s day with 10 percent of the proceeds from the Moe’s restaurant at Cameron Village going to the Jimmy V Foundation. Brooke Kingsley Isbell, the Greek Life graduate advisor, said they do a lot of business with Moe’s. “They’ve been very supportive of the entire Greek community,” Kingsley Isbell said. “We like to give business back to them and they’re very good about sponsoring community projects like that.”
Arth Pandya Staff Writer
The Mathematics Department received the 2010 American Mathematical Society Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department. The award recognizes a college or university math department that has distinguished itself by undertaking an unusual or particularly effective program of value to the mathematics community, internally or in relation to the rest of society. In a press release on the AMS Web site, Steven Bleiler of Portland State University, who served as chair of the selection committee, said the committee came to a full consensus that the University was ‘first among equals.’ “N.C. State’s particular combination of a strong commitment to outreach, well thought-out programs for students, and a long-standing dedication to diversity in the mathematics work force is singularly worthy of recognition and emulation by the broader mathematical community in these difficult times,” Bleiler said. Ac c ord i ng to D r. A loyc iu s Helminck, head of department of mathematics, the award nomination committee said the University “really hit a home run,” in regard to research in a broad range of areas, high-quality teaching and mentoring, strong ties to industry, and a welcoming environment for underrepresented groups. “[AMS] really values the fact that the University is not only known as a premier research institution, but at the same time, an institution that cares about their students,” he said. In the press release, the department is praised for “its blend of interdisciplinary and foundational research in mathematics, which creates a vibrant atmosphere and strong ties to other areas of science and engineering as well as industry and laboratories.” According to Michael Shearer, professor of mathematics, one of the main aspects that distinguishes the University from others is the fact that involves undergraduates and graduates in research very early on. “When students first arrive on cam-
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pus, they have the opportunity to start research straight away and that’s pretty unusual in mathematics,” he said. Helminck said having research experience early on enhances the educational experience “You go to a premier university so you can get an experience you can’t get anywhere else. We help students succeed in their chosen careers,” he said. “We are really one of the top places to do mathematical research in the nation.” Erin Bancroft, a third year Ph.D. student, agreed. “You get research experience in your first year of graduate school, which is really good. You’re guaranteed to get it for one summer when you come it,” she said. In addition, several graduate students participate every year in industrial research at institutions such as Harvard Medical School, MIT Lincoln Lab, National Institute of Environmental Health, Boeing, and Aerospace Corporation “The most famous national labs — you don’t get those [internships] unless you’re doing something good,” Helminck said. Though the University is recognized for its successful research programs, the achievement that stands out the most is the department’s success in graduating students traditionally underrepresented in mathematics. At the undergraduate level, approximately one-quarter of the graduates come from underrepresented minorities, according to Helminck. Shearer said one of the focuses of the department was encourages women to pursue a mathematical degree, especially in their graduate program. The percentage of female graduate students has steadily increased from its historic average of around 33 percent to 49 percent. Since 1999, there has been 38 African-American math Ph.D.s —23 males, 15 females. The University has produced 13 of them —9 females, 4 males. The department has also awarded Ph.D.s to several students of Hispanic origin, along with two students of Native American origin. Bancroft said the diverse environment helps students succeed. “The population is diverse — from
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“We are Panhellenic women first, then we belong to our chapters.”
women; and Saturday the members will participate in Pack Life. The Panhellenic Association will expand from eight chapters to nine next fall, with the addition of Kappa Delta. Burns said they all respect each other because they are value-based organizations. “It is important to take this week to remind everyone that we do come from the same background,” Burns said. “So when Kappa Delta comes in next year they are more willing to be together versus it being a competition between girls.” Burns said it is important for the women in these organizations to remember their priorities. “We are Panhellenic women first, then we belong to our chapters,” Burns
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breaking the bias
Math Department receives national honor Award distinguishes nation’s outstanding mathematics departments
She also said that last fall the Pan- across the University’s campus. Lindhellenic organization changed its phi- say Burns, director of public relations for the Panhellenic Association, said lanthropy to cervical cancer. “We decided to make the Jimmy the Outstanding Women’s Awards is hosted by the V Foundat ion Panhellenic Asour of f icia l sociation but it is philanthropy. open to the entire Any f undraiscommunity. ing money that “That helps us we ma ke w i l l put our name go towards this out there and at cause,” Kingsthe same time ley Isbell said. “ Lindsay Burns, director of public recognizes indi[This is] esperelations for the Panhellenic viduals as wincia l ly because Association n e r s ,” B u r n s there has been a said. “Winners lot of talk about the Gardasil shot and how it affects also get scholarships which helps us recognize outstanding women, but college-age women.” The organization will host the we’re also building awareness about 2010 Outstanding Women’s Awards the Panhellenic Association.” Wednesday night the organization Thursday, which recognizes women of exceptional character and integrity will host a movie night for Panhellenic
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Traver Mayfield, senior in international studies, examines a Palestinian craft at the Islamic and cultural art show and calligraphy workshop Tuesday. Mayfield, with friend Meghan Thompson, junior in anthropology, was trying to decipher the calligraphy on the piece. “We’re trying to learn Arabic,” Thompson said. The event was held in the Walnut Room in Talley Student Center and displayed artwork of students while educating students on the hostile stereotypes of the Islamic community.
Student-run organization to host first annual leadership education conference Parks Scholars create program to educate local high school students on values of leadership Annie Albright News Editor
Triangle Youth Leadership Services will host the first annual Triangle Youth Leadership Conference for high school students. Adam Dunn and Steven Mazur, both freshmen Parks Scholars, founded the organization in an effort to teach high school students the true values of leadership. “It’s a leadership development conference and our goal is to redefine leadership as a set of qualities and attributes that allow you to positively influence others instead of a title or a position you hold,” Dunn said. “The conference will include multiple student leader workshops and guest speakers, including Paul Kent, vice president of research and development at SAS. Another speaker will be Deborah Ross, the representative for N.C. House District 38.” Mazur said they did not anticipate the program would attract people so quickly. “We had 150 applicants for this years conference and we had space for approximately 75,” Mazur said. “Next year we will be hosting a similar conference in November of 2010 for 300 high school students from across the state. We picked
up a lot of momentum this year, and we’ll be able to expand greatly next year, but we still need a lot of help from students at N.C. State. It’s our goal to have all of these conferences completely student coordinated and to expand next year means we’ll need at least 100 student volunteers.” The conference is fully funded by Student Government, Mazur said, along with a grant from the Parks Scholars. “We really believe that you have a lot of power through local leadership and want to expand this organization to a national scale that encourages local leadership in communities across the country,” Dunn said. “We’re hoping to be able to expand to this national level within our college careers.” Mazur said he was involved with a similar organization in high school, which motivated him to inspire others. “In high school I worked with a nonprofit in Michigan for two and a half years and planned similar high school leadership conferences,” Mazur said. “When I came to State I found someone else who was willing to help me and we saw a need to redefine leadership and enhance leadership skills in high school students. I was able to learn a lot about both leadership and life in general from hearing the different speakers and meeting hundreds of other students with similar passions. Coming down here I wanted to give the same opportunity to high schoolers in North Carolina.” Dunn said he was interested in the
Triangle Youth Leadership Services: First conference: Saturday, April 17th Talley Student Center 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Upcoming Conference: November 2010 If you are interested in helping us with Novemeber’s conference, please email info@triangleleadership.org For more information about Triangle Youth Leadership Services, please visit www.triangleleadership.org Source: Adam dunn and steven mazur
program because as a local student, he knew there were no similar programs in the area and he thought it would be a great opportunity to help local students develop their full potential. Claire Lucas, freshman in industrial engineering and workshop coordinator for the conference, said she believes teaching the real meaning of leadership to students is essential. “It’s really an area that should be addressed is teaching students to discover more about themselves as leaders and that it’s not a title, everyone can be a leader,” Lucas said Lucas said the workshops concentrate on several areas of leadership “Each N.C. State student who is
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