A Math Genius, Money for Change, Part-Time Student Grants

Some college students had off this week for Winter Break, but was in session, including on Monday, Presidents Day. There are 12 weeks left in the semester and campus has been busy.

Taking Math to New Levels:
James Halsall, an Applied Mathematics major at Farmingdale State, gave a talk entitled "Analysis of Spherical Inflation Models for Intracranial Saccular Aneurysm Elastodynamics," at the annual national American Mathematical Society - Mathematical Association of America Joint Meetings in New Orleans on Jan. 6. Translation: He’s really good at math, and was recognized by being allowed to lecture in front of a society of mathematicians. James conducted research to make the conclusions he lectured about during the summer of 2010 at George Mason University in Farifax, Virginia. Halsall said that he incorporated ideas that he had learned through myriad courses at Farmingdale State College that that he is now seeing his knowledge applied to real-world conditions. He is currently preparing a paper based on the talk to be published in a mathematical science journal.  

Enacting Change on Campus:
The Farmingdale Student Government is beginning a new program to encourage students to seek out and affect change on campus. The Government has begun accepting proposals for changes across the campus, and will be giving certain students grants of up to $15,000 to make that proposal a reality. The program is dubbed “What are Students Saying?” and seeks to answer that very question. Students interested in participating are required to devise an idea, and provide evidence that at least 150 fellow students agree with their idea. Proposals will be evaluated by the student government, and the winning proposal or proposals will receive grants that could as much as $15,000.  Forms to submit your ideas were made available on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Part Time Students Now Eligible for Grants:
Grants and scholarships used to be restricted to mostly full time students, but that is changing. For those students currently enrolled in between three and eleven credits, new grant money has been made available.  Those interested should visit the Financial Aid Office in Laffin Hall, call 631-420-2578 or email faoffice@farmingdale.edu.

Help Wanted (on Campus):
Students looking to gain a paid summer position are in luck: Farmingdale State College is currently looking to put together a team of Orientation Advisors for this summer. OA’s, as they are sometimes called, assist with orientations in August, and help new students acclimate. Those interested should visit the Student Activities Office in Roosevelt Hall 116. Applications for the position are due March 11.

The “Beat” of the Campus:
Farmindale’s own WRAM radio station is expanding its programming this semester, featuring more shows and more talents.  Those interested in listening can do so online at http://www.tinyurl.com/wram893. Anyone interested in hosting a show can also visit the station located in the back of Roosevelt Hall.

Tech Job Fair:
Those interested in finding tech-related jobs can attend a technology job fair on Thursday, March 24th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.. A list of participants will be made available in mid-March.  The event is free, and open to both students and the public.  The Career Advising department advises participants to come dressed to interview, and with updated resumes.

That’s this week, “From the Campus.”  Be sure to check back next week for more.