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Hendrix Student Presents Research at Mathematical Association of America Gathering

CONWAY, Ark. (May 3, 2018) – Hendrix College mathematics and physics major Jacob Hines ’19 presented the results of his research in differential equations April 13 at the yearly meeting of the Oklahoma-Arkansas section of the Mathematical Association of America, held this year at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.

Hines worked with his advisor, Dr. Duff Campbell, a professor in the Mathematics and Computer Science department, extending results Campbell and Hendrix alumnus Jared Williams ’03 had published in the Pi Mu Epsilon Journal in 2003. Solutions to differential equations sometimes go to infinity quickly, or “blow up,” and Williams found a criterion for this to happen in the case of autonomous differential equations. Hines extended this work by finding criteria that cover all separable differential equations, which constitutes a much larger class of problems.

“Jacob has always done excellent work in his mathematics courses, but his work on this research has, if possible, only increased my respect for him,” Campbell said. “Jacob did an excellent job working through what was a tough research question, he made a very good presentation in Russellville, and we fully expect that he will be able to publish these results soon.”

Later in April at the College’s Honors Day Convocation, Hines received the Parker Undergraduate Research Award for this same research project.

About Hendrix College

A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal arts institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.