Origin of the Wisconsin Section of the Mathematical Association of America Beginning in 1927 a group of teachers in both secondary schools and institutions of higher education in the Milwaukee area organized an informal club and met periodically to discuss questions of interest in the field of mathematics. These meetings were very interesting and were enthusiastically supported, and the number of participants grew over the years. In 1930 it was decided that this group should formalize their organ- ization and apply for a charter for a "Wisconsin Section" of the Mathematical Association of America, and further that all of the institutions of higher education who wished would be invited to participate. In due time, the charter was granted and the Wisconsin Section of the Association has held annual meetings ever since. These have been rotated among the host institutions, and very inspiring meetings have been held at most of the institutions of higher education in the state. Today the Wisconsin section is an active and vigorous agency for stimulating interest in problems of mathematical interest. The originators of the chapter were: a. Sister Mary Felice, Mount Mary College b. Professor Harvey P. Pettit, Marquette University c. Professor George A. Parkinson, University of Wisconsin Extension Division Shortly after the application for charter, Father DeCleene of St. Norbert College became an ardent supporter of the chapter. George Parkinson (October 6, 1966) Note: George Parkinson was Chairman of the organizing committee, Temproary Chairman of the Section (1932-33), and first Chairman of the Section (1933-34). 2 WISCONSIN SECTION M.A.A. ATTENDANCE MEETING YEAR LOCATION (MEMBERS) PAPERS NOTES ______________________________________________________________________________ Org. 1932 Milwaukee Temporary officers elected; bylaws (1/2 page) adopted. 1 1933 Beloit 43(18) 5 2 1934 Oshkosh 68(27) 4 Theme: Preparation of mathematics teachers. Publication urged of papers "combating the present trend against mathematics in the secondary schools" 3 1935 Marquette 73(29) 6 Non-members included 16 from high schools, 2 from junior high. 4 1936 Madison 61(31) 7 5 1937 Milwaukee- 48(25) 5 Downer 6 1938 St. Norbert 45(20) 4 Meeting followed by automobile trip to historical sites in Green Bay and West De Pere. Panel: "The survey course in college mathematics" 7 1939 Milwaukee State 85(21) 4 Panel: "Implication of present-day Teachers College trends in high school and college mathematics" 8 1940 Mount Mary 53(25) 3 Panel: "Vitalizing mathematics teaching" 9 1941 Beloit 55(18) 3 Film of solar prominences Panel: "Contents of secondary mathematics" 10 1942 Oshkosh 55(24) 3 Panel: "Problems arising out of the war emergency" High-school trig necessary for a commission in the infantry. 11 1943 Milwaukee 48(17) 5 12 1944 Milwaukee- 26(13) 5 Luncheon served by the Home Downer Economics Dept. 13 1945 Milwaukee State 49(22) 4 Joint meeting with Milwaukee Teachers College Mathematics Club and Mathematics Section of the Wisconsin Education Association Panel: "Post-war mathematics in the high school" 14 1946 Mount Mary 69(26) 3 Panel: "The status of mathematical education in the State of Wisconsin" High schools reported to differ widely in mathematics requirements and sequencing of courses. 3 15 1947 Madison 40(24) 4 S.C. Kleene (Madison) reported on the new result of E. Post that the word problem for semigroups is unsolvable. 16 1948 Beloit 73(30) 2 R.E. Langer (Madison) gave a two- hour paper on Fourier series, with a 10-minute intermission. Panel: "Mathematical Education" Committee appointed to distribute pamphlet on guidance 17 1949 Lawrence 65(34) 5 Included talks by Karl Menger (IIT) and R.H. Bing (Madison) Panel: "Mathematics and general education" 18 1950 Marquette 100(47) 5 Report on Wisconsin Math Council, which affiliated with NCTM in 1949. 19 1951 Carroll 50(33) 8 20 1952 Milwaukee 111(51) 7 "A tour of the Pabst brewery and lunch at Pabst Blue Ribbon Hall divided the two sessions" 21 1953 Mount Mary 92(38) 6 Panel: "Opportunities for mathematicians in industry"