October 27, 2025
Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society at Pearl River Community College that provides students with opportunities to further their mathematics career, hosted its Honor Students’ presentations at the Forrest County Campus on Thursday.
Faculty, staff and students heard presentations on how mathematics has evolved in our society.
“Mu Alpha Theta provides the students the opportunity to see and use mathematics outside the classroom,” said Sharon Clark, Mu Alpha Theta advisor.
“The honors presentations give students a chance to explore an aspect of math that applies to their interest and a relaxed environment to practice making speeches.”
Ashlynn Broom of Foxworth and Presley Sellers of Hattiesburg, both 16 and Middle College students, began the host of presenters.
Broom’s topic: “Applications of Algebra in Crime Scene Investigations.”
Sellers’ topic: “Uses of Algebra in the Medical Field.”
Both plan to transfer to a four-year school. Broom also has law school in her future.
They were followed by sophomore Olivia Collum of Hattiesburg. Her topic: “Hamid Naderi Yeganeh and Trigonometry Within Nature and Art.”
At 18, her membership in Mu Alpha Theta means quite a bit. “It shows me that I can actually do more than I believed I was capable of.”
Garrett Holder of Petal, 17 and a sophomore, sees finance in his future. His topic: “Disney Imagineering – The Physics and Calculus Behind Roller Coasters.”
Said Holder, “Mu Alpha Theta means being in a community of people who value the applications and concepts of math.”
Maria Posadas, 18, sophomore of Hattiesburg called her topic: “How Calculus Helps in the World of Finance.”
Seth Rhodus, 18, freshman from Petal, majors in computer engineering. His topic: “A Brief Presentation on the History of Derivatives.”
Madiha Karim, sophomore from Purvis, said her topic: “The Applications of Calculus.”
Freshman Austin Lucas-Aultman, 18, from Hattiesburg had as his topic: “Leonhard Euler and his Contributions to Calculus.”
Said Aultman, “I am proud to be in the math club, and excited to learn more.”
Collum, Holder, Posadas, Rhodus, Karin and Aultman are all Phi Theta Kappa students in the William Lewis Honors College.
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Article and photography by Chuck Abadie.
