On Friday May 5, seven mathematics students and one faculty member from Western New England University were inducted into the esteemed Pi Mu Epsilon National Honor Society during a ceremony in the School of Law. The purpose of the Society is to promote scholarly activity in mathematics among students and faculty in academic institutions. Membership in Pi Mu Epsilon is based on scholarship, integrity and community.
Dr. Constance Leidy, associate professor of Mathematics at Wesleyan University delivered the Keynote Address titled, “Knots and the Fourth Dimension.” In topology, knot theory is the study of mathematical knots. While inspired by knots that appear in daily life in shoelaces and rope, a mathematician's knot differs in that the ends are joined together so that it cannot be undone. In mathematical language, a knot is an embedding of a circle in 3-dimensional space, R3. Dr. Leidy explained that a knot in three dimensions can be untied when placed in four-dimensional space. This is done by changing the knot crossings.
The students inducted during the ceremony included, Robert Pike, Alison Johnstone, Anthony Coralli, Jenna Dulchinos, Ezekiel Kuenzi, Bryan Blair, Paul Frydryk, and Mathematics Professor James Morgan.
Chair and Professor of Mathematics Dr. Dave Mazur delivered an opening address while Jennifer Beineke, professor of Mathematics and Josephine Rodriguez, director of the Math Center, inducted the students.
Founded in 1914, at Syracuse University, the society currently has over 350 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States.
View more photos of the ceremony here.
