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About Kappa Mu Epsilon
Kappa Mu Epsilon is a specialized honor society in Mathematics. KME was founded
in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students.
Its chapters are located in colleges and universities of recognized standing
which offer a strong mathematics major. The chapters' members are selected
from students of mathematics and other closely related fields who have
maintained standards of scholarship, have professional merit, and have
attained academic distinction. Both men and women are eligible for membership.
Growth
The society has grown steadily since its founding. As of March 2009, KME boasts 144
active chapters and over 75,000 members in 35 states.
Purpose
The primary purposes of being a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon include the
following :
- to further the interests of mathematics in those schools which place their primary
emphasis on undergraduate programs;
- to help undergraduate students realize the important role that mathematics
has played in the development of civilization;
- to develop an appreciation of the power and beauty possessed by mathematics,
due, mainly, to its demand for logical and rigorous modes of thought;
- to provide a society for the recognition of outstanding achievement in the study
of mathematics at the undergraduate level;
- to disseminate the knowledge of mathematics and familiarize its members
with the current progress in this important area of human interest.
The KME Insignia
Since the first serious group of students of mathematics to be organized into a
fraternity was the Society of Pythagoras, it was decided that the emblems
of Kappa Mu Epsilon be those of the Pythagoreans as nearly as possible.
The emblems chosen for the new fraternity were the five-pointed star and
the pentagon.
The Badge
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The Badge of the Society is a pentagon with the sides slightly concave.
In the upper half is the five-leaf rose whose equation is rho =
a * sin ( 5 theta ). In the lower half are the letters K. M. E . |
The Seal
| The seal is a five-pointed star enclosing a five-leaf rose and encircled
by the legend "Kappa Mu Epsilon, Founded 1931." |
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The Crest
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The crest is a shield enclosing the five-pointed star; in the star is the
graph of the rose rho = a * sin (5 theta) , the symbol of pure mathematics.
Around the star are five symbols indicative of the many applications of
mathematics : at the upper right is a conventionalized butterfly, for
the biological sciences; at the lower right is a moon and three stars,
for the physical sciences; at the bottom is the symbol S angle n, for
the business world; in the lower left is a shamrock and a slide rule,
for the engineers; at the upper left is a book of knowledge, for the students
and teachers who are continually extending the boundaries of mathematics
and its applications. Above the shield is the design of the badge of the Society,
and below it is a streamer upon which is printed the Greek motto. |
The Colors
The colors are the pink of the wild rose and the silver of the star.
The Flower
Since a five-leaved rose fits into the pentagon, the wild rose which usually has five petals
is the fraternity flower.
The Motto
of Kappa Mu Epsilon, translated into English, is "Develop an appreciation
for the beauty in mathematics." The objective of the organization
since its inception has been the fulfullment of this motto.
National Conventions
National Conventions
of Kappa Mu Epsilon are held in the odd numbered years. Conventions
usually commence on a Thursday evening of an April weekend and continue
through Saturday noon. These afford students and faculty an opportunity
to travel to a host chapter school and meet other students and faculty
from across the country. The main feature of each national convention
is the presentation of papers by student members of KME. These talks are
of high quality and the presenters spend much time in their preparation.
Official business at the national convention is transacted by members
of the National Council and by student delegates selected by each chapter.
Items appearing before the convention concern the election of officers,
voting on motions to amend the constitution or by-laws, voting on motions
relating to establishment of new chapters and deciding matters concerning
the society.
Regional Conventions
Regional Conventions
are held in the even numbered years. Six regions have been
carefully defined, with a regional director appointed to direct regional
activity and to help plan for the regional conventions. When a chapter
decides to host a regional convention, the chapters in the region as well
as those from surrounding states are invited to attend. Student papers
are presented at each of these conventions, and the academic level of
these papers has always been excellent.
National Council
National Council
consists of the National President, National President-Elect,
National Secretary, National Treasurer, and National Historian.
The Pentagon
The Pentagon
is the official journal of the society: it is published semi-annually
in December and May. Articles of interest to undergraduate mathematics
students are included, assisting the society in achieving its objectives.
News items about various chapters and their activities, as an aid to establishing
ties between the chapters, are also included, as are book reviews and
problems.
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