Spr ingf ie ld Co l l ege Volume 8, Issue 4

April/May 2015

FACULTY

Dr. Peter Pol i to,

Schoo-Bemis 118

Ext. 3313

Professor Nina Din i

Schoo-Bemis 125

Ext. 3267

Professor Jeff Gag-

non

Schoo-Bemis 114

Ext. 3648

Dr. Zenobia Lojewska

Schoo-Bemis 106

Ext. 3192

Dr. Tyler Markkanen

Schoo-Bemis 121

Ext. 3228

Dr. Ei leen McGowan

Schoo-Bemis 104

Ext. 3343

Dr. Andrew Perry

Schoo-Bemis 125

Ext. 3193

Dr. F ides Ushe

Schoo-Bemis 116

Ext. 3668

Donna Wisniowsk i

Dept. Admin. Ass ist.

Schoo-Bemis 109

Ext. 3117

Math, Phys ics, & Computer Science

Departmental News letter

Spring 2015 Final Exam Schedule

Final exams for evening classes will be scheduled as follows: Classes normally scheduled at 4:00 pm on

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays will take their final exams on the regularly scheduled days in their regu-

larly assigned classrooms at 5:00 pm on the dates May 7, 11, and 12. Classes normally scheduled at or after

6:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays will take the exams during regularly assigned class times in

regularly assigned classrooms on the dates May 7, 11, and 12. The final exams for Wednesday evening classes

(those scheduled at 4pm and later) will be Thursday, 5/7/15 during regular class time.Specific information

regarding location/time of Wednesday evening exams will be available in April.

Classes with nonstandard time periods will follow the exam schedule of the pattern to which the start-

ing time and day most closely conforms.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2015, final exam make-up times are available. If students have verifiable time

conflicts for any exam schedule, they may arrange for a make-up period through their course instructor.

Students can also arrange for a make – up time if they have three or more exams scheduled on the same day.

Make-up exam times:

Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 10:15 a.m. & 12:30 pm

Locations to be determined.

Class Starting Days / Times Exam Dates / Times

M, W, F

8:00 a.m. Thur. 5/7 10:15 a.m.

9:00 a.m. Fri. 5/8 10:15 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Mon. 5/11 12:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m. Thur. 5/7 12:30 p.m.

12:00 p.m. Mon. 5/11 2:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. Thur. 5/7 2:45 p.m.

2:00 p.m. Thur. 5/7 8:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m. Mon. 5/11 8:00 a.m.

T, R

7:30 a.m. Mon. 5/11 10:15 a.m.

9:00 a.m. Tues. 5/12 8:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m. Fri. 5/8 2:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. Fri. 5/8 8:00 a.m.

2:30 p.m. Fri. 5/8 12:30 p.m.

Math, Phys ics, & Computer Science Departmental Newsletter Page 2

With Math & Computer Science

the

Possibilities are Infinite!

CHAIR’S CHAT BY DR. PETER POLITO

Commencement Schedule

Graduate Commencement Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Graduate commencement exercises will be

held on Naismith Green on the Springfield

College campus.

Baccalaureate Ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

Baccalaureate ceremony exercises will be

held on Naismith Green for bachelor's degree

graduates and their families.

U n d e r g r a d u a t e C o m m e n c e m e n t

Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Undergraduate commencement exercises will be

held at the MassMutual Center in

Springfield, Mass.

Congratulations to the Math,

Physics, and Computer Science

Department’s 2015 Award Winners!

Dr. Stanley P. Brown

Mathematics Award Clayton Sleator

Graduating Senior Award

Courtney Trevena CISC Achievement Award

Megan M. Baildon Clayton Sleator MACT Achievement Award

Rachel M. London MATH Achievement Award

Thomas W. Ketley Clayton Sleator

Congratulations to our

Graduates!!!

Computer Science Majors

Rondal Archer Marck Bashaw Robert Martin Matt Milner Robert Sullivan Courtney Trevena Jospeh Whitt Math & Computer Technology

Majors

Michelle Dorsey Mathematics Majors

Ryan Carrabine Tim Johansmeyer Brian Piquette Hayley Thomas Courtney Trevena

MPCS Faculty L to R:

Andrew Perry, Jeff Gag-

non ,Zenobia Lojewska,

Fides Ushe, Peter Polito,

Nina Dini (Missing from

picture: Tyler Markkanen

& Eileen McGowan)

Best wishes to all, as we conclude the 2014-2015 academic year. Special

best wishes and good luck to all of our graduating seniors ! I know that you

must all be very excited about embarking upon your next journey through

life, but we hope that you will always keep Springfield College as your “home

away from home”. Remember that you will soon be an alumnus or alumna of

Springfield College.

It is hard to believe that we only have a few more weeks of classes! On

April 30th we will be holding our department’s annual recognition and awards

dinner It should be a great evening. We have a special program planned

including departmental awards and recognitions, congratulations to our grad-

uating seniors, a few special guest appearances, and entertainment! A spe-

cial thank you to Donna Wisniowski for all of her hard work throughout the

year and for having survived us, particularly the faculty, another year! Also,

a special thank you to all of our adjunct faculty and graduate associates for

their fine teaching and support. And finally, but not least, a big thank you

to our student tutors.

Thank you everyone! You will always be with me and remain in my heart and

in my memories as " I retire" ( or prefer to think of being as a "free

agent") with my 'Class of 2015'. Thank you Springfield College and my

"Springfield College Family" for always being there for me and will always

take you with me as I make the next bend in the horizon.

Love you all!

Peter Polito

Page 3 vo lume 8, Issue 4

Dr. Peter Polito—Testimony to a Life Dedicated to Education & Community Service

By Donna Wisniowski

On May 31, 2015, Dr. Peter Polito will leave Schoo-Bemis Hall for the last time as a full-

time Professor and MPCS Dept. Chair and enter the happy world of retirement, or as he

says, he will become a “free agent.” To say that Springfield College is forever changed

because of his tenure here, is a major understatement. Dr. Polito started at SC in the

fall of 1970 as a Physics professor after completing his studies at Northeastern and at

MIT. Because his research required computer use, he became quite adept at the com-

puter and in the late 70’s and 80’s he developed courses for SC’s new environmental sci-

ence program and later was asked to develop a program in computer science. To enrich

his own knowledge, he took a sabbatical and enrolled in graduate-level computer science

classes, beginning a pattern of continuous learning in that field. His computer science

majors usually find jobs before graduation and enjoy being leaders in their field; direct-

ly due to the diligence of Dr. Polito seeing them through their studies and coursework.

Dr. Polito was honored as the Humanics Professor of 1998-1999

and was the Cheney Award Recipient in 1999-2000. Dr. Polito was

the creator of Humanics in Action Day. On this day in the fall,

students, faculty, support staff, and administrators volunteer to

help the surrounding community by doing various projects in the

area such as cleaning up neighborhood properties, assisting elderly

neighbors, going to local schools, etc. Peter, along with his fellow

Humanics professors also spearhead the annual fundraising events

on campus - the Humanics Scholarship Chili Event in the spring,

and the Humanics Scholarship Wine Tasting in the fall. Both

events raise money for the Humanics Scholarship given to nomi-

nated SC students who are in financial need. Peter and his wife

Claire have created an endowment to the Scholarship so future SC

students can benefit from Dr. and Mrs. Polito’s generosity.

Following are some quotes from faculty, students, and alums regarding what Dr. Polito means to them:

*Dr. Politio was one of the first people to show me how welcoming Springfield College is. He is one of main reasons why I decided to go to Springfield College—Derek Wright, Class of ‘14, Hs Math Teacher, Renaissance High School, Springfield, MA

*My recollection about Pete is that everyday that I was on campus, I could count on Pete popping in around noon to ask how things were going and if I needed anything.—John Provost, Adjunct Professor Computer Science

*I’ve had many bosses in my long professional life. I liked none of them, but three. Peter is one of the three. He is the most conscientious and considerate human being I’ve ever met, a personification of the Public Service spirit of SC. I thank Good Luck which, absolutely unexpectedly, brought me to Peter’s office on a beautiful spring day! - Vladimir Strelnitski, Adjunct Professor,

Physics

*His grandfatherly smiles and kind words immediately eliminated my anxiety when he interviewed me.—Ran Li, Graduate Student

*He always had a way to make you feel special and take the time to touch base with all his students.— James Kikel, Class of ‘12

*Dr. Poltio was always so welcoming, I always just wanted to give him a big bear hug. I will truly miss him.—Michelle Dorsey, SR

MACT Major

*Dr. Polito cares about his students and is always there when I need help or guidance. He will be missed! - Rachel London, SO

MACT Major,

*The thing that I liked best about Peter was his concern for me as a person as well as an educator.— Milt Barnes, Adjunct Pro-

fessor, Math and Earth Science

*Dr. Polito is the most honest and straightforward person that I know, and the most generous with his time; he leads by setting an extraordinary example.—Dr. Andrew Perry, MPCS Dept.

*Dr. Polito is the embodiment of Springfield's dedication to educating stu-dents in Spirit Mind and Body. The lessons he has taught me inside and out-side the classroom will stay with me for the rest of the life. His guidance and advice will sorely be missed.—Bob Sullivan, SR, CISC Major

*Dr. Polito has been a great mentor and role model for me in my first year as a faculty member. His service and dedication to the Springfield College community is truly inspirational.—Tyler Markkanen, MPCS Dept.

*For the last 2 years Dr. Polito has become very special to me. He has mentored me through several situations where my exuberance got the bet-ter of me. He has however always encouraged me to move forward and be brave.—Dr. Eileen McGowan, MPCS Dept.

*My mom always says, "He is such a Renaissance Man." I remember visiting campus and the math department. Dr. Polito walked back and forth, hands behind his back, and wearing squeaky shoes and a sweater vest. I thought, this guy is a professor. Dr. Polito never minded that I could write little poems to him whenever I submitted my computer assignments. Although, he did mind when I once used very bad words as my variable names in a pro-gram that wasn't working and I forget to remove them before submit-ting. His response was a very diplomatic, "Not very nice, Catherine..” Dr. Polito was always showed such confidence in his stu-dents. I recall when T. Magee and I went to his office to start the Math Center. He was instantly supportive, backed us, and was willing to work the politics for us. He had our backs.– Dr. Catherine Buell, Class of ‘06, Math Professor, Fitchburg State

Univ.,Fitchburg, MA

*Dr. Polito exemplifies kindness and caring with both his staff and students that I will hold as a dear example in my career as it continues to evolve. The best! - Deb Diana, Adjunct Professor, MPCS Dept.

*Dr. Polito has been incredibly helpful and supportive over the past two years.—Megan Baildon, SO, CISC Major

*Dr. Polito has always been there for me when times are good and when times are not so good. I get chocked up when I recall the time I found out that my younger sister had passed away in Zambia. I was in my office checking my Facebook page when I read about all the messages of condolences people were saying to each other about my sister passing away!! I started wailing and I went to Peter's office to tell him what had happened. He was so supportive. He assured me that I could leave everything and go to Africa to be with family and that all my classes would be taken care of!! That is the type of person Peter is.—Dr.

Fides Ushe, MPCS Dept.

*I view Peter as the father of Math/Physics and Computer Science department at Springfield College. For me he defines the meaning of dedication to students and the department. He has been a role model and mentor and has inspired many through acts of service and his unwavering loyalty to Springfield College.—Professor Nina Dini, MPCS Dept.

*Dr. Polito, I am so glad that I had you as a professor my freshman year! The transition from high school to college was diffi-cult for me and the care and support that you have for all of you students make is transition go smoother. You allowed me to see my full potential and I could not thank you enough for that. I will miss you and I hope that you have a happy retirement.—Courtney Trevena, SR, CISC, MATH, & EDUC Major

*Dr. Polito is not only a great teacher but also a great boss. He is truly talented and will undoubtedly be missed.—Marisa

Babb, Grad Student, MPCS Dept.

*Dr. Polito has been a great boss and a good friend. His work ethic, integrity, and dedication to the school , and the depart-ment, are just a few of the many outstanding qualities he possesses. He is an outstanding educator and a wonderful human being. He will truly be missed! - Instructor Jeff Gagnon, MPCS Dept.

*When I went to visit Peter in the hospital, I didn't know what to expect. I was peering into doorways and I saw a beautiful set of legs sticking out of a dress. I glanced up at the face that belonged to those legs and to my surprise, there was Pete sporting a big smile! - Zahi Haddad, MPCS Adjunct Professor, Chair Electrical Engineering Dept., STCC

*Dr Polito exemplifies the person who lives his life for a purpose greater than himself. His life has always been focused on students, faculty and Springfield College. Peter was always very generous with his time, always available when needed. He was my mentor to whom I could come for any professional advice. He is a very compassionate human being and helped me to sur-vive through a few very difficult moments of my life. His help was invaluable after the death of my daughter and the adoption

Math, Phys ics, & Computer Science Departmental Newsletter Page 4

Milt Barnes—Education Served with a Smile

by Donna Wisniowski

Professor Milt Barnes, who has been an Adjunct Professor with the MPCS Dept. since

Fall 2003, has decided that he will be retiring from teaching this May. He has taught

Math and Earth Science to countless students who have enjoyed his humor and unique

teaching style.

Professor Barnes started his teaching career teaching 5th grade at the Soule Road Ele-

mentary School in Wilbraham, MA. He taught there for approx. 20 years. After that

experience, Milt moved up to Wilbraham Middle School where he taught Science to 7th

graders. He taught at WMS for 7 years. Milt then traveled to Berkley, University of

California, to receive training in the Science Teaching for Science Teachers program.

After Milt returned from CA, he became the Lead Grant Writer for PALMS, the Part-

nership Advancing Learning of Math & Science for the Wilbraham, Hamden, and Monson

school districts. He held this position for 3 years. Interestingly, Springfield College

was the Business Partner for the grant. He returned to Soule Rd. for a year before retiring from his public education life in

2001.

In 2001, Milt started teaching for Springfield College first, in the Education Department, where he worked along side former

Education Dept. Chair Bob Barkman, teaching Science education for 2 years. After that, Milt started teaching for the MPCS

Dept. bringing the wealth of his teaching experience, specialized training in education, and his jovial smile and quick wit with

him. He has become an endearing presence in the Department and is much loved by his students and faculty alike!

Milt plans on spending his new adventure with his life-mate and best friend, the “Beautiful Mrs. Barnes.”, Madeleine. Together

they will go to Florida for the winter for a few months, then return to home in Monson for a few months more, before summer-

ing at their favorite family compound on Cape Cod surrounded by their 4 children and their spouses, and 8 grandchildren.

Springfield College students and the MPCS Faculty wish all the best to our beloved Mr. Barnes. He exemplifies all the best

qualities that a true teacher and mentor could possibly have. We are forever grateful to have had Milt spend a good part of

his life journey with us! Thank you Milt for everything!!

of my new daughter outside of the U.S. It is in large part because of him (and his wife Claire) that I was able to put my shattered life together. When I needed advise on large things such as hunting for a house or small things as fixing my car- Peter and Claire were there for me for many years. Thanks for all of these!-Zenobia Lojewska, MPCS Dept. *Dr. Polito is a great educator who always has the best interests of the stu-dents in all of his efforts. For the past 7 years I enjoyed building a great relationship between STCC and Springfield college with Dr. Polito. But, more importantly I enjoyed becoming friends with him and I wish him all the best! - Brian Candido, Chair of Computer InformationTechnologies, STCC and

MPCS Adjunct Professor

*Dr. Polito, Thank you for a great 4 years at Springfield College. I could not have asked for a better program and professor to help prepare me for the real world. Best wishes for a healthy and relaxing retirement! - Ashley

Moreck, Class of ‘11,, Meditech

On a personal note, I have been Dr. Polito’s Administrative Assistant for the

past 15 years. I have never worked for anyone who has his level of integrity,

compassion, diplomacy, and generosity. He has worked tirelessly to promote

the Math, Physics, & Computer Science Dept. for Springfield College. He is a man of honor and a truly nice guy! I will forever

be grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful individual. Springfield College will forever be in his

blood and I’m sure he’ll stop by now and then just to make sure that all is going smoothly. I will always count him as one of my

dearest friends who has steadfastly and caringly helped me through some of life’s obstacles as he has helped so many others.

His dedication to Springfield College will always be forever remembered by the thousands of students who he has helped mold

into the professionals that they are today. Best wishes Peter and enjoy your next adventure!!!!

Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.

Henry Brooks Adams

Page 5 vo lume 8, Issue 4

Einstein’s Quote of the Month Learn from yesterday, live for today,

hope for tomorrow. The important thing is

not to stop questioning.

Famous Mathematicians

In 1935, the year of Emmy No-

ether's death, Albert Einstein

wrote in a letter to the New

York Times, "In the judgement

of the most competent living

mathematicians, Fraulein No-

ether was the most significant

creative mathematical genius thus far produced

since the higher education of women began."

Born in 1882 in Germany, Emmy Noether per-

sisted in the face of tremendous obstacles to

become one of the greatest algebraists of this

century.

Known primarily for her profound and beautiful

theorems in ring theory, Emmy Noether's most

significant achievement runs deeper: she

changed the way mathematicians think about

their subject. "She taught us to think in simple,

and thus general, terms... homomorphic image,

the group or ring with operators, the ideal... and

not in complicated algebraic calculations," said

her colleague P.S. Alexandroff during a memori-

al service after her death. In this way, she

cleared a path toward the discovery of new al-

gebraic patterns that had previously been ob-

scured.

Despite her intellectual achievements and the

recognition of such mathematicians as David

Hilbert and Hermann Weyl, Emmy Noether en-

dured years of poor treatment by German uni-

versities, where for a time she could not even

lecture under her own name. Weyl later wrote

that, even when the Nazis prevented her from

lecturing, "her courage, her frankness, her un-

concern about her own fate, her conciliatory

spirit, were, in the midst of all the hatred and

meanness, despair and sorrow... a moral solace."

Forced out of Germany by the Nazis in 1933,

Emmy Noether came to Bryn Mawr College,

where she soon collected many students and

colleagues around her. She died there just two

years later at the age of fifty-three.

http://www.awm-math.org/noetherbrochure/AboutNoether.html

Emmy Noether (1882 - 1935)

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Dr. Markkanen’s Puzzle Party!

Puzzle #3: Explain how to cut a 2-foot by 12-foot rectangu-

lar board into two pieces so that they perfectly cover a 3-

foot by 8-foot rectangular hole, without any gaps or overlap.

Please see the diagram.

Puzzle #1: Connect all nine dots by drawing four straight

lines, without lifting the pen.

Answers from Jan,Feb, Mar Newlsetter

Puzzle #2: Solve the following cryptarithm, where each let-

ter represents a digit and no digit represents two different

letters.

: A = 2, B = 1, C = 7, D = 8

Page 6 Math, Phys ics, & Computer Science Departmental Newsletter