K-State tops among Big 12 schools in Putnam Mathematical Competition

Media Relations and Marketing
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0117
Phone: 785-532-6415
Fax: 785-532-6418

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Louis Pigno, 785-532-0559, lpigno@math.ksu.edu

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

K-STATE TOPS AMONG BIG 12 SCHOOLS IN PUTNAM MATHEMATICAL COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's Putnam Mathematical Competition team finished first among schools in the Big 12 Conference and 29th out of the 508 colleges and universities participating in the annual competition.

The Mathematical Association of America just released the results of the Putnam, which was conducted in December 2006 and had 3,640 "mathletes" participating. The competition began in 1938 and is the highest level mathematics competition for undergraduates in the United States and Canada.

It's the fourth time in the last six years that K-State has finished first in the Big 12 in the Putnam.

K-State's Jeffrey Amos, senior in mathematics and statistics, Olathe, was the top student in the Big 12 Conference and ranked in the top 2 percent overall in the competition.

Also on the K-State team were:

Matthew Burkemper, senior in mathematics, Derby, who tied for second place in the Big 12 Conference and ranked in the top 4 percent overall in the competition.

Rui Zhou, freshman in electrical engineering, Manhattan, who ranked in the top 35 percent overall in the competition.

Brian Anderson, senior in mathematics and music education, Salina, who ranked in the top 35 percent overall in the competition.

Andrew Brownback, sophomore in mathematics and economics, Topeka, who ranked in the top 35 percent overall in the competition.

Alyson Deines, senior in mathematics, Woodbine, who ranked in the top 26 percent overall in the competition.