Fall 2011 Meeting

October 28-29, 2011
Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Moorhead, MN
Contact: Wally Sizer

The Fall 2011 meeting of the North Central Section of the Mathematical Association of America will be held October 28-29 at Minnesota State University - Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The program for the fall meeting will be available a week or two prior to the meeting.

Fall 2011 Speakers and Abstracts

Permutation, Coagulation, and Fragmentation

Tom Halverson (Bio)

Macalester College

Abstract: We will begin by shuffling cards in a silly and slow way. This method of shuffling ---which can be viewed as a random walk on permutations --- has elegant properties and will lead us through a terrific story involving permutations, graphs, and some linear and abstract algebra. We then will add operations that "coagulate" and "fragment" points. These operations will give us a random walk on set partitions and lead us to the "partition algebra." Beautiful combinatorics emerge, ending with a startling connection to alternating sign matrices.

How to Find (and Keep) Neighbors

Rick Gillman (Bio)

Valparaiso University

Abstract:This talk explores the implications of our natural instinct to be around other people ‘like ourselves.’ In a major work, Schelling (1971) investigated the equilibrium states possible in bi-cultural housing environments. Young (2001) extended this work by identifying those equilibrium states which are also stochastically stable. Undergraduate students at Valparaiso University (2009, 2011) extended these results to multi-cultural environments. The new results have applications from describing the formation of high school cliques, to the American political landscape, to the stability of post-civil war Libya.

Lunch Details

Sandwich Buffet with fruit, cookies and beverages (water, coffee and tea; milk by request).
Cost: $9.00 (paid at registration)
Location: Comstock Memorial Union
The reservation deadline for lunch is Thursday, October 20th at noon.
Send reservations (via email) to Wally Sizer.

Driving Directions

Directions to the university:

Note that 11th Street is one way going south.

From I-29 Take I-94 east, getting off at exit 1A and turn north. Go to 7th Ave. S. and turn right. Park between 10th and 11th Streets in lot W (right side) or lot A (left side).

From I-94 Take exit 1A and turn north. Go to 7th Ave. S. and turn right. Park between 10th and 11th Streets in lot W (right side) or lot A (left side).

From US 75 South Go north to 7th Ave. S. and turn right. Park between 10th and 11th Streets in lot W (right side) or lot A (left side).

From US 10 East Turn south on 11th St. S. Go to 7th Ave. S. and turn right. Park between 11th and 10th Streets in lot W (left side) or lot A (right side).

From US 75 North You join route 10 going west. Turn south on 11th Ave. S. Go to 7th Ave. S. and turn right. Park between 11th and 10th Streets in lot W (left side) or lot A (right side).

Campus Map & Parking

City Map

A map of the city can be found following the link. (City Map)

Campus Map

A campus map can be found following the link. (Campus Map)

Parking

Parking in lot W or lot A (see Campus Map) is free from 4:30 Friday until 7:30 Monday.

Lodging

Travelodge & Suites

3027 South Frontage Road
(South Side of US Highway 10 East)
Single or double occupancy: Standard king $80.96 + tax; Double queen $89.96 + tax (MSUM rate)

Super 8 Motel

8621 8th St. S.
(US Highway 75, south of I-94)
Single $49 + tax; Double $53 + tax (MSUM rate)

Courtyard by Marriott

1080 28th Ave. S.
(back from northeast corner of I-94 and US 75—access off 24th Ave. S.)
$91 (+ tax?) (MSUM rate)

Or do a web search for Moorhead motels or Fargo motels.