Spectrum

Griffin Hicks (B.A.A., industrial technology management, 2010) has accepted a position with International Game Technology in Reno, Nev., where he lives. Griffin works as an EH&S representative on the global facilities and real estate team. Julie Mitchell (B.S. in electrical engineering, 2011) lives in Lexington, Ky., where she works at Lexmark International as an electrical engineer in the technical rotation program. Mitchell completed her first eight-month rotation as a mid-range color laser product engineer at the end of February and started her second rotation in product and process quality assurance in March. Since graduating from CMU in May 2011, she spends her free time sailing, playing tennis and training for her first half-marathon. Ashley Suiter (B.S. in geography, 2011) is a GIS intern at Ducks Unlimited. She lives in Dundee, Mich. • On-campus student resource adds up Mathematics Assistance Center opens in library Not every student can easily understand mathematical concepts like the law of sines, differential equations or derivative formulas. That's why students such as Thomas Plante now are available in Park Library to help make learning mathematics easier. Plante is one of several mathematics graduate teaching assistants who provide tutoring to students in the library's newly expanded branch of Central Michigan University's Mathematics Assistance Center. "Working in the center gives me a lot of one-on-one time working with students where I can see things better than if I'm working with them in the classroom," says Plante, who is interested in teaching mathematics in a university setting. "This really is helping me prepare for my career in teaching. " Reggie Becker, Mathematics Assistance Center director, says the student body has responded positively to the library center. He says the library center already has experienced an increase in students compared to the last two fall semesters in Grawn Hall . "I think a lot of it has to do with the location," Becker says. "The library is right in the center of campus, and since a lot of people study here already, it makes it easier for them to come in and get the assistance they need. " For senior Bradley Holley, the new center in Park Library has made a big difference in understanding concepts taught in his mathematics class. "Whenever I don't understand a problem, I come here and I can get it done," says " Baumgartner and other alumni agreed that visiting CMU was about more than reflecting on the glory days. It was about passing the torch and helping the next generation. "It's extremely important for alumni to share their experiences with students, " says Erika Espeland, '07, who majored in geography and today is the GIS and web coordinator for Michigan's Berrien County. "We give them a sense of reality as well as give them an idea of what to expect once college is over. " Jonathan Matthews, Detroit freshman says, "I really enjoyed attending different presentations from CMU alumni. It definitely helps students to hear those real-world experiences. " • Holley, a foodservice administration major. "It's like working in any other part of the library, but there are people here who will help you if you're struggling. Many students, like Holley, have shown great interest by utilizing the resources offered. With multiple locations, students taking any level of mathematics courses can benefit from the assistance centers. While the original Mathematics Assistance Center remains open in the Towers, the Park Library center replaces the satellite center previously located in Grawn Hall. Both locations help students with mathematics courses from algebra to business calculus, but the library center also handles statistics and more advanced courses. • 15

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