Spring 1997

Making math count for more than trophies

A simple smile comes across Denis Radecki’s face when he discusses the participation of Indiana middle school students in the national MATHCOUNTS competition.

With good reason. Indiana’s four-member team won the national championship in 1995 and placed fifth last year - the state’s fourth straight year of top 10 finishes. Only two other states can boast as much, perennial MATHCOUNTS powers California and Texas. Indiana will try for another top 10 finish on May 9 in Washington, D.C.

"There are lots of talented and dedicated educators in Indiana and it is gratifying to be able to provide a framework for them to excel and be recognized for their efforts," says Radecki (Math,’‘72), owner of Radecki Engineering in Terre Haute.

MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide mathematics coaching and competition program for seventh and eighth graders. It is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Radecki has served as the chairperson of the regional MATHCOUNTS program for 12 years. He is also the state director for the Francis Vigo chapter of the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers and is a host engineer for Student Visitation Day during National Engineers Week.

"If MATHCOUNTS was only a contest, I probably would not be involved," says the father of two children. "But the materials we provide for the extracurricular math clubs makes us a partner in mathematics education, not simply trophy providers.

Rose-Hulman benefits from MATHCOUNTS by hosting students and parents during the regional and state competitions. The college also awards $7,500 Presidential Scholarships to the boy and girl posting the highest score in the Indiana state finals. This year’s winners were Andrew Chi of Honey Creek Middle School, Terre Haute, and Emily Kendall, Oak Hill Middle School in Evansville.

Radecki points out that a successful MATHCOUNTS’ program requires more than one person. Other Rose-Hulman graduates assisting in this year’s regional and state contests were Patrick Goodwin (Civil Eng., ‘95, a former MATHCOUNTS competitor), as chief grading room supervisor; and Jim Baker (Elect. Eng., ‘71), Tom Dinkel (Mech. Eng., ‘72), John Wooden (Civil Eng., ‘83), Vern Fellows (Elect. Eng., ‘62), Dave Jennings (Chem. Eng., ‘83), Jim Osburn (Elect. Eng., ‘74), John Burkett (Mech. Eng., ‘82), Dennis West (Chem. Eng., ‘84), Damon Jones (Chemistry, ‘80) and Ronald Reeves (Elect. Eng., ‘58) as graders.