A small group of math students traveled to Brown University this week to hear from Dr. Mel Currie, retired Research Advocate for NSA and author of Mathematics: Rhyme and Reason. Jamarya Jackson ’20 spearheaded the effort with assistance from math teacher Mrs. Susan McCarthy.
Jamarya was inspired to attend the lecture because of her experience with a one-week summer math program at Brown. The program, sponsored by the Institute for Computational & Experimental Research in Mathematics, is open to 9th and 10th-grade girls and helps them excel in the mathematical sciences. When she received the email, she asked Mrs. McCarthy about the potential for a field trip, and several interested students jumped on the opportunity.
After receiving a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Yale in 1970, Dr. Mel Currie worked as an economic analyst with Gulf Oil Corporation. He taught algebra in Germany, then earned MA and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh. Seven years in academia followed graduate school. Dr. Currie joined the National Security Agency in 1990. His position at retirement was Research Advocate reporting directly to the Director of Research, NSA.
The lecture focused on the beauty of mathematical pursuit, the enchantment of elegant proofs, and the trials and tribulations he has experienced in waking up each day, trying to be a mathematician — all glimpses into his new book Mathematics: Rhyme and Reason.