The West Virginia University Department of Mathematics in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences has reactivated the math honorary, Pi Mu Epsilon.

The organization, under the supervision of Frederick Butler, assistant professor of mathematics, will work to promote scholarly activities in mathematics and generate an interest in math among students.

The honorary has inducted eight students and named three to officer positions. Justin Reinike, a junior French and mathematics major from Parkersburg, has been named president. Jonathan Mathieu, a senior mathematics major from Wheeling, was appointed vice president, and Melissa Key, a first year graduate student in mathematics from Hardyston, N.J., was named secretary and treasurer.

A lot of people dont enjoy math because they believe its too difficult and dont see any practical application behind it. As a result, math often goes unrecognized in its importance,Reinike said.The society is important because it can be used to change that negative perception of math.

The group is hoping to hold a Jeopardy-style mathematics competition to promote awareness of the society and for people to have fun with math. The society may also host conferences to showcase maths useful purposes, math engineering applications and research being done by students and professors.

I think its good for students who have a passion for math to share their projects and ideas with each other,Mathieu said.

Requirements for induction into the society are two years of college math, including calculus, along with a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) in math courses. Students must also be in the top third of their class.

Sophomores intending on majoring in math must have three semesters of math, a 4.0 GPA in math courses and be in the top fourth of their class. Math graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA .

Pi Mu Epsilon was founded in 1914 at Syracuse University. The honorary has over 300 chapters in colleges and universities nationwide.

For more information contact Butler at 304-293-2011 or fmbutler@mail.wvu.edu .