Current Events

ACMS Fall Updates

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ACMS 2024 Conference at Dordt

Proposals for talks at the Dordt 2024 conference are now being accepted. Here is the link to the conference website where you can submit proposals, register for the conference, and apply for travel and child care grants. Below is a copy of the conference poster that contains information on our invited speakers as well as three pre-conference workshop options. Please feel free to print and distribute this poster within your networks to spread the word in regards to the Dordt conference. Many thanks to Val Zonnefeld and Tom Clark at Dordt for their organizational work. 

Proposals Still Being Accepted for a 2026 Host Site

Looking past the Dordt conference to 2026, we are still accepting applications for hosts of the 2026 conference. The application form can be found here. With the rotating geographic schedule of ACMS conferences, preference will be given to schools that can generally be considered “east,” but all institutions are encouraged to apply.

Brabenec Lectureship Updates

The 2023-24 Brabebenec Lecturer, Derek Schuurman, has already completed one of his stops, visiting Cedarville University last week. There he gave talks on “ChatGPT, AI, and the Biblical Story” to both faculty and students. Derek will be speaking next at Houston Christian University on November 2nd. We hope to have Derek give a virtual talk in the spring that can be attended by all ACMS members – more information on that to follow.

   

ACMS Reception at the JMM 

If you are attending JMM in January, ACMS will host a reception as usual. There will be a time of fellowship and snacks before groups will disperse for dinner at various local restaurants. Due to the exorbitant costs of A/V equipment, we will not be hosting a speaker at this year’s reception. If you have any questions regarding the JMM reception, or if you will be attending JMM and like to help in greeting/hosting new attendees, please contact ACMS Vice President Kristin Camenga.

Please feel free to reach out to me or any other ACMS board member with any questions that you have regarding the happenings of the ACMS. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at Dordt next summer!

ACMS Summer Updates

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To the ACMS membership,

Now that we are post-Memorial Day, we are less than a year away from seeing each other again at the 2024 Conference at Dordt University. As I look forward to that time, I pray that you all would find rest and rejuvenation this summer. This newsletter contains information regarding ACMS events and deadlines for the next calendar year. Please read through each topic. As always, please feel free to reach out to myself or other members of the board with any questions. 

Brabenec Lectureship

Many thanks are due to Russ Howell for serving as the inaugural Brabenec lecturer. This past year Russ gave talks at Huntington, Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan, and Lee University. You can find a link to the video of Russ’s talk at Huntington on the ACMS website main page.

The board is pleased to announce that the Brabenec Lecturer for the 2023-24 academic year is Derek Schuurman. You can follow this link to Derek’s personal website to read about his background and academic work. Derek has made immense contributions to the integration of faith and learning in computer science and we are thrilled to have him as the next Brabenec Lecturer. 

Applications to Host the Brabenec Lecture Series

If your institution is interested in hosting Derek this next academic year, you can apply here. The deadline to apply to host is July 17th. The board hopes to announce the host institutions by August 1st. 

APU Conference Proceedings

The ACMS Journal and Proceedings from the APU conference is now available here. Thanks are once again due to Russ Howell for serving as editor. As a reminder, you can find previous ACMS journals and conference proceedings at pillars.taylor.edu/acms/.

Dordt Conference 2024

Details for the Dort 2024 Conference are taking shape. Keep your calendars marked for the week of May 27th, 2024. Confirmed plenary speakers include:

We are working to add one more speaker to the lineup, so stay tuned. 

We would now like to solicit proposals for pre-conference workshops. If you have an idea for a workshop, please use this form to submit an abstract. The board will review the proposals on a rolling basis with the goal of having the pre-conference workshops finalized by September. 

Call for talk proposals will go out in August.

Proposals to Host the 2026 Conference

The application is open for schools to host the 2026 ACMS conference. This summer would be an excellent time for you and other members of your institution to complete the application form. Schools that are east (broadly speaking) will be given priority. 

Finally, I’ll close with a reminder about our newly created ACMS Discussions Google Group. This could be a great way to share information and continue discussions throughout the summer. 

Happy summer everyone. 

ACMS Updates

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The following info was recently sent to members of the ACMS.

1. 2023 Joint Math Meetings Reception – ACMS will once again be hosting a reception at JMM. The reception will be from 6-7:30 PM on Thursday, January 5th at the Marriott Copley Place, Salon G . Karl-Dieter Crisman (Gordon College) will be our guest speaker and his talk will be from 6:30-7 PM. At the conclusion of his talk, we will break out into small groups for dinner and discussion at various local restaurants. Please contact ACMS Vice President Kristin Camenga with any questions.

Abstract for Karl-Dieter Crisman’s talk:

Mersenne Matters: Mathematics, Music, Monotheism, and More

Marin Mersenne is usually considered, when he is considered at all in mathematics, in one of two ways. Either he is the inspiration for the latest newly discovered (and enormous) “Mersenne Prime,” or he is the interlocutor who helped induce Fermat and Descartes to properly, and “publically” discuss their methods of tangents.

But who was Mersenne, what did he do, and why does he matter? This talk will give an overview of his life and the important roles he played in the history of science and music, with many examples from his own writings. We’ll especially look into why a monk, from an order devoted to being the least of all, saw his explorations of things like pure mathematics and practical acoustics as being so closely related to his writings in defense of the faith.

2. Dues Updates and Price Changes – The board has voted to raise the annual price of dues from $20 annually to $30 annually. This change will take place March 1, 2023. You are welcome to pay your 2023 dues, as well as pay in advance for future years, at the current rate any time before March 1. If you have any questions regarding your current dues status, please contact ACMS Executive Secretary Mike Janssen.

3. Brabenec Lectureship – Dates and locations have been determined for the inaugural Brabenec Lectures to be given by Russ Howell. March 13-16 Russ will be making stops at Huntington, Taylor, and Indiana Wesleyan. March 23-24 Russ will be at Lee University. Thank you to all the schools who applied to host Russ. Look for an email in the new year (around February/March) providing details on Russ’s talks as well as an application/nomination process for the ’23-’24 Brabenec Lecturer. The board plans on a rough timeline of announcing the next lecturer around Memorial day, a mid-July deadline for schools to apply to host, and announcing the host schools in August. Again, look for more information starting in February/March of 2023. 

4. Application for Hosting the 2026 ACMS Conference – As we look forward to the 2024 conference at Dordt, we are beginning the process of accepting applications for a 2026 host. Please complete this form if you are interested in hosting. In keeping with the geographic rotation of each conference (APU 2022 – west, Dordt 2024 – central), preference will be given to schools considered “east.”

5. Consider Donating to ACMS – please consider donating to ACMS. ACMS is now recognized as a 501(c)3 non-profit and can offer the tax benefit of donations. Visit us online and click the “Donate to ACMS” button on the right hand side bar.