Meredith Herald
Vol. 2. No. 11
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC 27611
December 1,1986
Problem solving the
subject of this year’s
faculty lecture
by Elizabeth Almond
,Dr. Ed Wheeler delivered the Distin
guished Faculty Lecture Monday, Nov. 17,
at 8 p.m. in J(»ies Auditorium.
He addressed some of the specifics
involved in problem-solving and stressed
that possessing competent skills in
problem-solving is a plus for any student in
any major or concentration.
Wheeler began his lecture by saying
that for a mathematician, there is “no juic
ier morsel in life than a problem to be
digested and solved.” He went on to de-
.scribe the origins of problems that are
tackled by professional mathematicians
every day.
Math is not the only concentration
which addresses itself to problem-solving,
said Wheeler. Students in majors and con
centrations like pyschology are also faced
with problems to be solved. Wheeler
encouraged students to apply problem
solving strategies learned in class to prob
lems encountered in everyday life.
According to Wheeter, there are foiir
essential steps involved in problem-solving;
preparation, incubation, inspiration and
verification.
One of the most important aspects of the
search for a solution to a problem is the
identification of information given to the
problem-solver.
Pinpointing precisely the unknown
element of the problem is also important,
as is guarding against placing unnecessa^
constraints on the problem, which can
result in failure to solve the problem.
Those attending the lecture were given
a handout containing sample problems
when they arrived.
Wheeler asked his audience to solve
several problems during the course of the
lecture.
A silence familiar to anyone who’s ever
taken a math class fell inside the audito
rium as listeners attempted to solve a spe
cific problem, the solution of which Wheeler
then immediately revealed.
Wheeler ended his lecture by quoting
“Education is what you remember when
you’ve forgotten everything you’ve
learned.” He suggested problem-solving
skills be a part of the education everyone
remembers.
Dr. Ed Wheeler quizzes his audience on methods of problem solving during the DlstNv
guished Faculty Lecture. (Photo by Kim Cook)
Financial aid application process to begin in
January for 1987-1988
Students who wiish to apply for fmancial
assistance in 1987-88 .will need to com
plete the process between Januaiy 2 and
February 15, 1987. Applications filed
between those dates will have first prioriQr
in the awards process. .Applications made
after that time will continue to receive full
consideration so long as funds are availa
ble. Both the Meredith Application for
Financial Assistance and the Financial Aid
Form must be filed.
Application forms for 1987-88 are
expected to be available by December 8.
These forms will be mailed to freshmen,
sophomores and juniors currently receiv
ing assistance. However, the sttid&nt has
the responsibility to see that she has the
forms and completes them. If you do not
receive the forms you should go to the
Office of Scholarships and Financial
Assistance to get them. Non-graduating
seniors, previous applicants who did not
receive aid, new applicants, etc. may pick
up forms on or after December 8. There is
the possibility that forms may not be
received from the printer by the date. Even
if the forms are delayed it will not have any
adverse effect on the student. The forms
will arrive soon after that date and suffi
cient time will remain.
Guaranteed Student Loan applicants
will need to complete the Financial Aid
Form. Previously a short, Needs Test Form
was the only requirement. Recent legisla
tion makes qualification more stringent
and some students who qualified in pre
vious years will no longer be eligible for
this loan. Other loans are available! They
are not as favorable as this GSL, however.
The Office of Scholarships and Finan
cial Assistance will be pleased to assist you
with your questions. We are located on the
first floor of Johnson Hall and are open
from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday
through Friday. Appointments with par
ents and employed students may be sche
duled at other times.
Math Contest To Be Held
by Olive D. Taylor, Instructor
Dept, of Math Sciences
The Department of Mathematical
Sciences wants freshmen and sophomores
to begin Spring Semester with an interest
ing challenge.
The Sixth annual Freshman — Sopho
more Mathematics Contest will be con
ducted on Saturday, January 10,1987.
Participants will take a test covering a
wide variety of mathematical areas.
Prizes include a $200 scholarship for
first place and a $100 scholarship for
second place. Students who have 66 hours
or less at the end of Fall Semester 1986
may compete.
The winners last year were Patricia
Hall, first place; Mary Harper, second
place; Teresa Swafford, honorable men
tion; and Gina Howard, special merit
award.
Registration forms are available in 215
Harris Hall or from Professors Kraines or
Taylor. Completed forms should be
returned by December 3.
1 n s i d
e
Mary Fracker interprets
French for Africans ...
page 3
Holiday traditions
at Meredith
page 4
Coach Massey in
the faculty spotlight ..
pages
Focus on the Special
Olympics
pages