ARCHIVED ARTICLES

University of Minnesota Morris, Division of Science and Mathematics

Welcome to the site where previous Science and Math Alumni Newsletter feature articles can be accessed. You'll always find the most current information at our homepage, but we also want to allow you to look back at feature stories from the past. Since our archive is very new (just like the on-line newsletter), this site will start out small and build in size over time. The links below will take you to our previous articles. Enjoy!

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Archive for 2007

New UMM Stats Consulting Center
When Ben Winchester graduated from UMM in 1995, he had one thing on his mind.   "I just wanted a job!" he now laughs.   Fortunately, Winchester had already been working hard as an undergraduate math and stats major with professors Peh Ng, Engin Sungur and Jon Anderson.  MORE

The Artistic Side of Sci & Math
Come see the growing collection of original UMM student artwork that adorns the halls of the Science and Math building. MORE

Microbiology's Niche in Farm Country
"Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a leading health care concern of the 21 st century."
UMM biology professor Timna (Odegaard) Wyckoff (UMM '94) begins all her grant proposals with the above statement.   For her, the need for more research in antibiotic resistance is obvious. MORE

Archive for 2006

Alumni Update: Nick Hopper
This first article in our Alumni Update series features Nick Hopper, who graduated from UMM in 1999 with degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics. Nick went on to earn his PhD at prestigious Carnegie-Melon University. He is now teaching computer science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. MORE

Math Man With Folding Finesse
Mark Logan joined the UMM Math faculty in the fall of 2002.   Since that time, he's been busy teaching everything from Survey of Mathematics to Abstract Algebra.   Any student who enters his office with a question about homework soon realizes that Logan's enjoyment of mathematics takes on a physical form in his leisure time. Origami is his hobby's name and folding paper is the game. MORE

Keeler Builds New Atomic Physics Lab
New UMM physics faculty member Len Keeler jokingly explains his interest in atomic physics as the result of being “a big control freak.” He enjoys manipulating atoms to do what he wants them to do. MORE

Kudos to Chemistry Alumnus Tim Brown!
There are few problems more aggravating than an expensive piece of equipment that gives you nothing but grief. And there’s nothing sweeter than a philanthropic soul who offers a solution to such a frustrating dilemma. That’s the good news/bad news from the UMM chemistry discipline in a nutshell, except to add: Hooray for gracious alumni donors!!! MORE

New CSci May-Term Course a Real-Life Challenge
Inspiration can come from unexpected places. Computer Science professor Nic McPhee conversed one day with two UMM studio art faculty who designed a May-term course that allowed students to work on their studio projects for three solid weeks, eight hours a day. McPhee wanted the same experience for his computer science students. MORE

Jong-Min Kim; A Long Journey From There to Here
Students anxious about taking their first statistics course hope to have a professor with ample amounts of compassion and patience. UMM’s newest member of the Statistics discipline, Jong-Min Kim, fits the bill. MORE

Archive for 2005

Big Rock Update
In the summer of 2004, we announced the creation of a memorial at UMM for geology professor Peter Whelan. Come see what came of our quest for the Big Rock. MORE

Something Fishy Going on in Biology...
Paul Myers joined the Biology Discipline at UMM back in 2000 and brought with him a wealth of experience in zebra fish research. MORE

The Best Poker Players Must Be Mathematicians
The final hand of an all-night poker game comes to a tense conclusion as the two weary competitors size up the current bet—and each other. Player A calls Player B’s bet with a smile. It’s all about game theory, says UMM mathematics professor Dave Roberts. MORE

Archive for 2004

What's Cooking in Chemistry...
UMM alumni who took Jim Olson’s General Chemistry Honors course will remember his “do-it-yourself” attitude about lab research. Before Professor Emeritus Olson left these hallowed halls, he helped his chemistry colleagues create a new course that would ensure early research experience for all UMM chemistry students. Olson, along with professor Nancy Carpenter designed an innovative Intro to Research (ItR) course unique to UMM’s chemistry program. MORE

In Memory of Peter Whelan
Come to this page for links to Peter's memorial fund, his obituary and the original story about his field trip last summer.

The combination of UMM geology professor, Peter Whelan and Parkers Prairie science teacher, Marlene Schoeneck added up to more than just a collaboration of instructors committed to inquiry-based teaching methods. It took them on a geological adventure to the South Dakota Black Hills in May, 2003, with 62 high school eighth graders, six parents and 9 UMM students. What was learned on that field trip had to do with earth science and a whole lot more. MORE