Department News
Summer Research Opportunity for Students
Dr. Ivan Dungan and Dr. Daniel Scofield of the Mathematics Department have grant funding to support student researchers in AI this summer. Students interested in participating should apply. https://www.cognitoforms.com/FMUArtificialIntelligenceResearchGroup/StudentJobPostingSU2026
Department Welcome New Administrative Assistant
The Department of Mathematics is pleased to announce the hiring of Savannah Khilji as Department Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Khilji is a 2019 FM alum. We look forward to many years ahead!
Department Students Graduate
FM mathematics majors Brittany Crosland, Jocelyn Franks and Micah Scott graduated at the FM Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday December 13, 2025. In addition, Brittany is graduating with a minor in Statistics also offered by the Department of Mathematics. The Department of Mathematics congratulates these outstanding Math Patriots. We encourage all alumni to keep us up-to-date on their lives using the form on our alumni page.
Longtime Administrative Assistant Retires
On December 12, 2025, Mrs. A. Maria McCormick retired from her position as Administrative Assistant for the Department of Mathematics. Mrs. McCormick’s retirement comes after faithfully serving FMU for almost 33 years. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are for serving our department so well for so long. Congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful retirement.
Department of Mathematics Host High School Mathematicians
The Department of Mathematics hosted the 2025 George E. Schnibben, Jr. High School Mathematics Tournament on Tuesday, December 2. One hundred ninety-two students from 16 schools took part in the tournament, which included a one hour written test followed by a divisional rotation through Math Jeopardy, lunch and mathematics activities such as Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe, Charty Party, and EvenQuads. The winners of Math Jeopardy are as follows: Division 1 – Wilson High School, Division 2 – Hannah-Pamplico High School, and Division 3 – Scholar’s Academy.
Students Inducted into Kappa Mu Epsilon
On September 30, 2025, seven current Francis Marion students were inducted into Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national honor society in mathematics. Students with exceptional overall GPA and GPA in math courses above the Calculus I level are eligible for membership. The student inductees are Brody Darr, Thomas Dooley, Cannon Miles, Benjamin Randall, Miguel Funderburk, Isaac McMillan, and Zachary Peacock. Faculty member, Bob Indrihovic was also inducted. The induction ceremony and reception were held in the Lee Nursing Building and was attended by many friends, family and math faculty of the those inducted. Congratulations to the Kappa Mu Epsilon inductees for 2025!
Math Majors Graduate
FM mathematics majors Nyah Pee, Rasheeda Borillo and Jake Reeder graduated at the FM Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday May 3 2025. The Department of Mathematics congratulates these outstanding Math Patriots. We encourage all alumni to keep us up-to-date on their lives using the form on our alumni page.
Department Hosts Local Students
FM Department of Mathematics held an AP Calculus Test Prep day on April 30, 2025 and an AP Precalculus Test Prep day on May 1, 2025. In total, 130 high school students from the area came to campus to practice for their upcoming exam in a true-to-life simulation. Area teachers praised the event because it gives their students a realistic environment, their results on how to improve and time with an expert grader providing tips for how to improve their scores. The event was led by Dr. LoPresto and lunch was generously provided by the Provost’s office.
Mathematics Department Hosts Conference
On Friday, April 11, 2025 the Department of Mathematics proudly hosted its annual Francis Marion Undergraduate Mathematics Conference. The conference was well attended by students and faculty from colleges and universities in the region. FM math majors gave talks about their mathematics research projects. For more information about the conference, contact Dr. Kevin LoPresto, Conference Director.
MAA-SE State Dinner of South Carolina Held at FMU
On Friday, April 11, 2025, in conjunction with the annual Francis Marion Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, the Department of Mathematics proudly hosted the MAA-SE State Dinner of South Carolina . The annual event gives mathematicians from students to faculty the opportunity to meet, network and listen to a mathematics presentation. This year’s speaker was Dr. Lakeshia Legette Jones from Clark Atlanta University. For more information on the State Dinner, contact Dr. Denise Tracy, FM Math faculty and MAA-SE State Director.
Mathematics Students Honored
Each Spring at the University academic awards ceremony, outstanding students in every campus department are honored. This year, the Mathematics faculty selected graduating senior mathematics major Jake Reeder and rising senior Mary Clair Floyd to receive the Mathematics Award. Congratulations to these students and all of our majors and minors on an outstanding academic year!
Mathematics Student Wins Poster Award
Jacob Reeder, senior mathematics major, was named the 2nd place winner of the SC EPSCoR Undergraduate Poster Presentation. The presentation was given as part of the SC EPSCoR annual conference on April 9, 2024. Congrats, Jake!
FM Students and Faculty Attend EPSCoR Conference
Many FM students and faculty attended the 2024 SC EPSCoR Annual State Conference on April 9, 2024. The conference, held in Columbia, SC, is a one-day conference intended to bring together faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, and STEM professionals to facilitate networking and promote collaboration among South Carolina. Many of the FM students and faculty gave presentations at the conference.
Math at the Ballpark
In March 2025, the FM Mathematics department outreach committee contributed baseball related mathematics activities for Baseball Math Night sponsored by Delmae and Lester elementary schools. Activities ranged from measuring various pieces of baseball related equipment to collecting data and answer baseball related questions. Attending the math night were FM Math Faculty Chace Covington, Johanna Gibson, Nicole Panza, Denise Tracy, Minerva Brauss, Daniel Brauss, and Kevin LoPresto.
Math Faculty Honored with Service Award
Dr. Thomas Fitzkee, Chair of the Department of Mathematics received the 2025 MAA-SE Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Fitzkee is currently serving his third consecutive term as the Section’s Treasurer, in addition to his other service to the Section. Congratulations to Dr. Fitzkee!
Math Student Wins Award
Luke Poston, FM Math Major, presented his research at the MAA-SE Section Meeting at High Point University. Luke’s presentation was selected as one of the best undergraduate posters at the conference. Congrats, Luke!
Students and Faculty Attend MAA-SE Section Meeting
The MAA-SE Section Meeting was held on February 28-March 1, 2025 at the High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. Many Mathematics faculty accompanied FM students, Jake Reeder, Micah Scott, Luke Poston, Zach Courtney, Lanorah Hobbs, Jocelyn Franks, Danielle Crosland and Pearl Dathrapu. While there, the students participated in Math Jeopardy, the annual Scavenger Hunt, and the Graduate School Fair. Both FM students and faculty presented work as well.
Inspiring Women for Generations: NCUWM 2025
From January 31-February 2, 2025, FM students Nyah Pee, Lanorah Hobbs and MaryAlise Lesley and FM Math faculty Dr. Nicole Panza attended the 27th annual Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The conference’s purpose is to support women in their pursuit of mathematics. Both Nyah and Lanorah gave poster presentations to share the research that they have completed. We look forward to returning to Lincoln next year!
