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The Department of Mathematics offers degree programs which lead to a multitude of career possibilities including teaching, industrial work, government service, and graduate school. Our mathematics education program is the largest in Missouri and our graduates teach throughout Missouri as well as across the nation. Other graduates have found employment with NASA, Census Bureau, Boeing, Southwestern Bell, Dayco, American National Property and Casualty, St. John's Regional Health Center, J. P, Morgan Chase, United Services Automobile Association, Wal-Mart Corporation, and many others. Job descriptions for our graduates are varied and include computer analyst, actuary, lawyer, and statistician. Many graduates have pursued graduate studies leading to advanced degrees (we have a Master's program), and professional careers such as college teaching. We also have an excellent pre-engineering program.

One thing we definitely take pride in is our commitment to teaching excellence. While actively engaging in research and scholarly activities, our faculty also strive to motivate and inspire students in learning mathematics. Nothing is more rewarding to us than being able to help students investigate mathematical truth. I am still a believer that the essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple. Another aspect we believe strongly in is to support our student organizations Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national student honor society in Mathematics, Mathematical Association of America Student Chapter, Missouri State University Problem Solving/Undergraduate Research Group, and Southwest Missouri Student Math Teacher Organization. These organizations meet regularly on campus to discuss matters of mathematical interest and sponsor several social activities, both to have fun and to help enhance interactions between students and faculty.

One of our challenges ahead continues to be helping promote the awareness of mathematics. I just feel an understanding of basic mathematics is so essential to a comprehensive college education. Mathematics should not be perceived as only for balancing checkbooks or doing arithmetic, or something like that. Nor should mathematics become a game of memorizing a bunch of formulas. The essence of mathematics is about observing patterns, exploring possibilities, developing quantitative sense, analyzing strategies, and attempting solutions. The essence of teaching mathematics is also about motivating and inspiring students to do all of the above. I believe we should strive to help guide students to genuinely believe in themselves that they can and will succeed if they are willing to lead the learning process, instead of being led.

As for the Department, while the faculty continue to do their utmost to provide quality instruction of mathematics and to help or mentor students along the way, to engage in scholarly activities, and to participate in and contribute to the mission of the university, there were a few noteworthy events or activities that could perhaps give you a glimpse of how our new initiatives continue to evolve:

• An accelerated option in our master's degree is now available. In addition to the maximal 12 hours allowed under the senior permission provision, this option will allow students to count up to additional 6 undergraduate hours toward the master's degree.
• We currently sponsor the annual math contests of the Ozark 7 Conference, Summit Conference, Mid-Lakes Conference, and Southwest Corner League.  Tentatively, we will also be involved with the Spring River Valley Conference next year. 
• Ash Grove, Pierce City, and Southwest are the three latest high schools to join MSU's dual credit program in mathematics. Other schools currently in this program are: Blue Eye, Branson, Buffalo, Catholic, Dadeville, Diamond, Dixon, Forsyth, Glendale, Hollister, Jasper, Kickapoo, Logan-Rogersville, Marion C. Early, McDonald County, Miller, Missouri Virtual School, New Covenant Academy, Nixa, Parkview, Pleasant Hope, Reeds Spring, Skyline, Spokane, Strafford, Walnut Grove, and Warsaw.
• Over $18,000 in scholarships were awarded to 20 recipients for the 2006-2007 year. Also, 12 students received the 2006 Freshman Mathematics Award.
• We continue to sponsor and support the Missouri-ARML activities in the southwest Missouri area to providing a forum for students to study challenging mathematics and to engage in sophisticated problem solving. 
• To help celebrate the Mathematics Awareness Month (April) this year, a Math Awareness Week Contest 2006  was conducted through the web/radio during April 24 (M) - 28 (F).
• On Saturday, November 11, 2006, the first MAKO Undergraduate Math Research Conference will be held at Missouri State University. Undergraduates from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be invited to present short talks on their research. 
• We will host a two-month Research Experiences for Undergraduates project in the summer of 2007. Nine undergraduates will be selected from Missouri State and other universities in Missouri and the surrounding states.
• The MCTM Elementary Math Contest and the Middle School Math Contest will be jointly held on Saturday, April 28, 2007 on the MSU campus. It is anticipated that over 1000 children and parents/sponsors will participate in this event.  
• The 2007 Kappa Mu Epsilon National Convention will be held on the MSU campus on April 12-14, 2007.

It goes without saying that we'll continue to need comments, suggestions, and support from the alumni and friends of the Mathematics Department to help us move in the right direction. More importantly, please stay in touch, and I look forward to hearing from you from time to time.