Chattanooga, Tenn. --- The American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) recently held its statewide conference at Chattanooga State Community College. Members from Tennessee Board of Regents institutions as well as two-year colleges from out-of-state were in attendance.

Founded in 1974, the AMATYC is an organization dedicated to the improvement of education in the first two years of college mathematics in the United States and Canada. AMATYC hosts an annual conference, summer institutes, workshops and mentoring for teachers in and outside math, and a biannual math competition.

Dr. Arthur Benjamin, professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont California, was the keynote speaker. Harvey Mudd is one of the top ten colleges in the nation. Dr. Benjamin is famous for his ability to square faster than a calculator. He attributes his skill to his ability to hear number rather than visualize them. He uses a Phonetic code to help him calculate quickly. He also says mental math strategies include working left to right.

“I always liked math as a little kid. I liked to take problems and do them lots of different ways to see if I could always get the same answer, ” says Dr. Benjamin. He developed an interest in magic while in high school that he now combines it in his classroom teaching. “I’m a huge believer in mental math and in students showing their work.’ Dr. Benjamin continues. “They don’t pay you (the big bucks) for the answer, but for the explanation.”

Dr. Benjamin’s favorite math courses are Discrete Mathematics, Game Theory and Probability. Unless a student is pursuing a career in engineering, he believes there should be a greater emphasis on statistics than calculus in the curriculum of most schools. Dr. Benjamin emphasized that he is a strong advocate of STEM education (Science, Math, Engineering and Technology).

In addition to Dr. Benjamin’s address, awards and entertainment were part of the evening’s festivities. Nancy Pevey, an associate professor of mathematics at Pellissippi State Community College in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, received an award for teaching excellence. Judging committee chair, Maggie Flint an associate professor of mathematics at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tennessee, said Ms. Pevey submitted “one if the most impressive packages I received.”

Joy Hosey, a mathematics faculty member at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tennessee, was honored for winning the theme contest with her submission of “Mathematics: Music to My Ears.”

Faculty members of Chattanooga State’s Professional Actor Program provided entertainment. Rex Knowles, executive director, Sherry Landrum, artistic director, and Jeff Parker, assistant professor of Theatre Arts performed a math themed, musical, improvisation piece entitled, The Pie is Square.

Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg, Tennessee will host the 2013 annual AMATYC state conference. In 2014, the conference will be at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. For information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at (423) 697-4404 or toll free at (866) 547-3733. Information is available at on the Chattanooga State website at www.chattanoogastate.edu, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChattState, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChattStateCC.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, governed by the policies and guidelines as set forth by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Chattanooga State’s mission is to transform the lives of individuals and to develop the capacities of the business and industrial communities through technical and postsecondary education. Founded in 1965, the college serves a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee and offers more than 50 educational programs.