The ETSU Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Program: A Brief History

With a Healthy Side Order of Local History

Robert “Dr. Bob” Gardner

March 4, 2016

The Cherokee

Overmountain Press (2001)

https://chenocetah.wordpress.com/tag/map-of-cherokee-indian-lands/

Cherokee Lands

https://www.americanhistoryusa.com/the-cherokee-acculturation/

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/11/15/langguth.trail.of.tears/

Cherokee Native Americans

Protohistoric Cherokee Town Cane Notch

ETSU archaeology students excavating at Cane Notch on the Nolichucky River .

From: http://jcnewsandneighbor.com/peeling-back-the-cherokee-past/#prettyPhoto

http://faculty.etsu.edu/franklij/etsu_archaeological_field_school_10.htm

Henry Johnson, Johnson’s Depot, and Johnson City

(1983, 1986, 1992)

Johnson City Press (2006)

(2005)

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/maps/tennmap1861.jpg

Railroads Make Johnson City

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/images/photos/photos1/hendepot.jpg

Johnson’s Depot

http://www.bcyesteryear.com/node/688

Henry Johnson

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/cemeteries/oakhill/hjmarker1.jpg

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/images/photos/photos1/jobeopera.jpg

Fountain Square 1

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/images/photos/photos1/ftnsquare2a.jpg

Fountain Square 2

Fountain Square, Looking East

Main Street From the Other End

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/images/photos/photos3/etwnc.jpg

ET&WNC Depot, 1930

Free Service Tire, circa 1960

Yee-Haw Brewing, 2015

The Tennessee State Flag

LeRoy Reeves

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7716822

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/cemeteries/oakhill/reeves.jpg

http://tngenweb.org/washington/files/2012/10/stateflagmkr.jpg

Oak Hill Cemetery

ETSU and the History of the Tennessee State Flag

From East Tennessee State Normal School to East Tennessee State University

ETSU Press (1991)

(1947)

(2010)

“Carved from the mountains of America’s first frontier, East Tennessee has been a unique fulcrum of change as our nation grew west, as transportation change[d] and waves of people moved with an eye toward a better future. Generations have come to the mountains, seduced by their peace and strength. People continue to seek benefit of their treasured resources, the time-tested way of life and to enjoy the strong, abiding Appalachian culture and heritage. … As a `Normal School,’ education’s early 20^th century revolution made its beginning on [this] campus with 17 students and the dreams of many. Through time, change and modernization have brought new subjects, added departments, which emerged as schools and colleges, each broadening the mission, impact, and scope to become – East Tennessee State University.”

ETSU: Generations of Pride, Overmountain Press (2010)

George L. Carter

1857-1936

A bust of George L. Carter sits outside of Mayetta Carter Hall (named for his wife), an original building on campus which has served as a women’s residence since the university opened in 1911.

Later a dorm; Cooper Hall (page 16 of Good)

The Carter House

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/normal/normal.htm

• 1911 East Tennessee State Normal School
• 1925 East Tennessee State Teachers College
• 1930 State Teachers College, Johnson City
• 1943 East Tennessee State College
• 1963 East Tennessee State University 

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http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/image/2015/02/24/640x/76a732fa70913ee47cd297517b517078-jpg-13.jpg

ETSNS to ETSU

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4331998149/in/photostream/

The Administrative Building

East Tennessee Normal School, circa 1911.

Front Steps of the Administration Building

Sidney Gilbreath

C. Hodge Mathes

The Charter Faculty, 1911-12

Sidney Gilbreath

David Burleson

Christian Rogers

The First Graduating Class

This photo of 20 students (from page 15 of Good’s book) is purported to be “the first graduating class.”

The First Football Team

Record: 3-2, beating Greeneville High, Washington College, and Johnson City High; loosing to Carson-Newman (0-55) and Milligan (0-30).

Memorial Stadium

State Teachers College, 1935

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4332457145/in/photostream/

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The First Library

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4332746840/in/photostream/

Trolley Service

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/normal/etsc1941a.jpg

The Administrative Building, 1941

Administrative Building Named “Gilbreath Hall” in 1957

http://www.etsualumni.org/s/974/interior-template.aspx?sid=974&gid=1&pgid=1221

Spheres of the World

Spheres of the World

Desegregation in 1956 and 1958

East Tennessee State

Governor Frank Clement signing the bill renaming “ETSC” as “ETSU” on March 5, 1963. The name change took effect July 1, 1963.

University

College

Approved in 1974, first students in 1978

Kingsport Center opened in 1959

Gray Natural History Museum opened in 2007

Engineering degree, Fall 2016

Other Landmark Events

The Department of Mathematics

…and Statistics

Departmental Chairs

Dates based on Faculty Handbook, Mathematics Department, ETSU, 1997.

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NOTE: The website http://www.etsu.edu/facts/history.aspx states that the Mathematics Department was first part of the school in 1926.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4435407407

https://www.etsu.edu/100years/highlights.aspx

David Burleson

Christian Rogers

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4426967783

Thomas Carson

M.A. degree from Duke University (1928) with thesis titled “Some Historical Investigations into the Parallel Postulate.” A copy of his thesis is available in the ETSU Archives of Appalachia (QA681.C37).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4615513834

Carson Hall 1

https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4331024682

Carson Hall 2

Department Chair (and building namesake) Thomas Carson.

The Math Club, March 1955

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/386254105519956027/

Dr. Lester C. Hartsell (1921-2016)

Math faculty member: 1928-1972. https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4427736410

Velma Cloyd and Marjorie Midyett

Math faculty member: 1966-1990. https://www.flickr.com/photos/etsuarchives/4435585654

The Department’s First Website (circa 1996)

https://web.archive.org/web/19980214230636/http://www3.etsu.edu/MATH/MATH.HTM

First Female Chair of Math

Janice Huang, 1999-2000

Janice Huang, seen here with her husband Tom (chair of the ETSU Department of Chemistry for several years) . Her Ph.D. is in algebra from the University of Illinois (1994).

From ETSU Today, Fall 2001, page 14.

The Era of Chairperson

Robert

“Young Bob”

Price

Dr. Price celebrates 2 years as chair, July 1, 2013.

The Graduate Program

(the biased view of a pure mathematician)

Supervised Teaching (MATH 5019) Class, Fall 2014

The Beginning of our Graduate Program

The 1951-52 East Tennessee State College Bulletin introduced the “Graduate Division” and reports the following (pages 140-141):

The program involves a Master of Arts in education. “Minor Fields” listed by name are English, social studies, biology, and chemistry.

According to the Listing of Master’s Theses, East Tennessee State University, 1951-1976 (which lists 89 departmental theses), the first thesis to fall under the heading of math was:

The First “Math Thesis”

Florence Bogart, “Making First-Year Algebra More Meaningful” (1951).

A Historical Thesis

A Study of the Organization and Function of the Mathematics Club of East Tennessee State College

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Lora DeVault McCormick

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August 1955

Thomas Carson

Francis L. Celauro

S. W. Grise (?)

Lora McCormick went on to work in the Department of Mathematics from 1953-1975!

502. Infinite Series. (3 hours)

A Study will be made of theory and application of infinite series, convergence, divergence, ratio and comparison tests power series, expansion of functions in series. Prerequisite: Math. 303 [Calculus 3]

503. Introduction to Modern Algebra. (3 hours)

This is a study of polynomials and fundamental properties, linear dependents, matrices, invariants, bilinear forms, and selected topics from the theory of numbers and finite groups. Prerequisite: Math. 303.

The 1952-53 East Tennessee State College Bulletin lists math as a “Minor Field” in the Master or Arts in education degree and gives the first post-calculus analysis-type class (as well as the first appearance of a modern algebra-type class):

The faculty listed for the Math Department are: “Mr. Carson, Miss Cloyd, Mr. Jasper, Miss Smith, and Mr. Stollard.”

1952-53

The 1953-54 East Tennessee State College Bulletin has the addition of Advanced Calculus:

511S, 512S. Advanced Calculus . (3 hours)

Supplementary study of calculus, including partial derivatives with applications to surfaces and space curves, Taylor’s Theorem and relative extremes of functions of several variables, line and surface integrals, improper integrals, indeterminate forms.

An ‘S’ means that the class can be taken by qualified seniors.

The 1955-56 East Tennessee State College Bulletin has the addition of:

551, 552. Functions of a Complex Variable . (3 hours)

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595. Methods of Research.

The 1956-57 East Tennessee State College Bulletin has the addition of:

521S. Elementary Math from an Advanced Standpoint . (3 hours)

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1953-57

The 1960-61 East Tennessee State College Bulletin includes:

412G-413G. Introduction to Modern Algebra. (3 hours each quarter)

Construction of the number systems in algebra; groups, rings, and fields; polynomials.

An ‘G’ denotes an undergraduate class which graduates can take for credit.

541-542-543. Modern Algebra. (3 hours each quarter)

Prerequisite: Math 412G [Introduction to Modern Algebra 1].

Theory of groups, rings, integral domains, and fields; polynomials; vector spaces, and theory of ideals.

http://www.universetoday.com/102783/kapow-keck-confirms-puzzling-element-of-big-bang-theory/

1960-61: The BIG BANG

521-522-523. Foundations of Analysis. (3 hours each quarter)

Prerequisite: Math. 422G [Advanced Calculus 2].

A rigorous study of the real and complex number systems, elements of set theory, numerical sequences and series, continuity, differentiation, the Riemann-Stieltjes Integral, sequences and series of functions, further topics in the theory of series, functions of several variables, and the Lebesque Theory.

551-552-553. Functions of a Complex Variable. (3 hours each quarter)

Prerequisite: Math 423G [Advanced Calculus 3].

Complex numbers, analytic and elementary functions, integrals, power series, residues and poles, conformal mapping and applications.

555-556-557. Functions of a Real Variables. (3 hours each quarter)

Prerequisite: Math. 423 G [Advanced Calculus 3].

The real number system, theory of point sets, rigorous investigation of many questions arising in calculus, Lebesque integrals and infinite series.

The 1960-61 East Tennessee State College Bulletin (continued – Real and Complex):

411G. Introduction to Topology . (3 hours)

A basic course in the properties of a space which are invariant under continuous transformations. Set topology, homology, homotopy, fixed point theorems, and manifolds.

575-576-577. Topology. (3 hours each quarter)

Prerequisite: Math. 411G [Intro to Topology] and Math. 523 [Foundations of Analysis 2].

An Introduction to the study of geometric properties that depend only on continuous structure and not on size or shape. Topics will be selected from the following: point sets, cardinal numbers, neighborhood spaces, continuous mappings, connectivity, network, polyhedra.

595. Introduction to Mathematical Research. (1 hour)

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596. The Thesis. (4-6 hours)

The 1960-61 East Tennessee State College Bulletin (continued – Topology and Research):

Modern Algebra at ETSU

412G-413G.

Introduction to Modern Algebra

541-542-543. Modern Algebra.

4127/5127, 4137/5137.

Introduction to Modern Algebra 1 and 2.

Change ‘5’ to ‘4/5’ and add a ‘7’

Add a ‘0’, drop third class

5410, 5420.

Modern Algebra 1 and 2.

The Evolution of our

Modern Algebra Sequences

• Introduction to Modern Algebra (MATH 4127/5127): Introduction to the basic algebraic systems, including groups, rings, integral domains, and fields.
• Introduction to Modern Algebra II (MATH 4137/5137): The study of rings is continued to include topics of factor rings, ideals and factorization. The study of field theory is expanded to include extension fields and splitting fields, time permitting; Sylow theory is included.
• Modern Algebra I (MATH 5410) Monoids, group theory, ring theory, modules over a principal ideal domain.
• Modern Algebra II (MATH 5420): Field theory, Galois theory, algebra over a field, ring theory.

Undergraduate/Graduate and Graduate Algebra Classes

Descriptions from the 2015-16 Graduate Catalog.

ETSU Abstract Algebra Club

An unofficial, unrecognized organization created in 2014 to promote abstract (or modern) algebra and the classes which ETSU offers in this area.

Analysis at ETSU

521-522-523.

Foundations of Analysis.

555-556-557.

Functions of a Real Variable.

4217/5217, 4227/5227.

Analysis 1 and 2.

Change ‘5’ to ‘4/5’ and add a ‘7’

Add a ‘0’, drop third class

5210, 5220.

Real Analysis 1 and 2.

The Evolution of our

Analysis Sequences

551-552-553. Functions of a Complex Variable.

4337/5337.

Complex Variables.

?

Add a ‘0’, drop third class

5510, 5520.

Complex Analysis 1 and 2.

The Evolution of our

Complex Analysis Classes

411G. Introduction to Topology.

575-576-577. Topology.

4357/5357. Introduction to Topology.

The Evolution of our

Topology Class

5350. Topology.

• Analysis 1 (MATH 4217/5217): In a setting of the real numbers, a study of sets, functions on sets, algebra and order properties of the real numbers, sequences, sequences of functions, continuous functions, limits of functions, function approximation.*
• Analysis 2 (MATH 4227/5227): A study of the derivative and integral of functions of one variable, the Riemann- Stieltjes integral, series, series of functions, Fourier series*
• Complex Variables (MATH 4337/5337): Complex numbers and their algebra, complex differentiation and integration, analytic and elementary functions, residues and power series.
• Introduction to Topology (MATH 4357/5357): Open and closed sets, continuous functions, metric spaces, connectedness, continuous functions, metric spaces, connectedness, compactness, the real line, and the fundamental group.

Undergraduate/Graduate Analysis Classes

Descriptions from the 2015-16 Graduate Catalog.

*The description of Analysis 1 and Analysis 2 are different in the Undergraduate

Catalog.

Analysis Instructor for 2016-17

Dr. Rodney Keaton

B.S., University of North Carolina at Asheville (2007)

M.S., Clemson University (2010)

Ph.D., Clemson University (2014)

• Real Analysis 1 (MATH 5210): The real number system, sequences, functions, Lebesgue measure, measurable functions, the Lebesgue integral, differentiation.
• Real Analysis 2 (MATH 5220): Classical Banach spaces, metric spaces, topological spaces, Riesz Representation theory, Hilbert spaces, general measure and integration.
• Complex Analysis 1 (MATH 5510): Complex numbers, continuity and derivatives of functions, power series, Laurent series, transcendental functions, line and contour integrals, Cauchy integral formula, Maximum Principle, applications.
• Complex Analysis 2 (MATH 5520): Residues and integration, harmonic functions, conformal mapping and applications, Laplace transform, Riemann surfaces.
• Introduction to Functional Analysis (MATH 5740): An introduction to the standard topics of functional analysis are given. Properties of normed linear spaces, Banach spaces, and Hilbert spaces are studied. The Hahn-Banach Theorem is addressed. Spectral theory and compact operators are introduced. A knowledge of measure theory is not assumed and any needed measure theoretic results are presented in the course.*

Graduate Analysis Classes

Descriptions from the 2015-16 Graduate Catalog.

*Proposed description for this experimental course.

Math Modeling in Biosciences Certificate

First Certificate Graduates…?

Samuel Green

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Expected completion of certificate program: Fall 2016 or Spring 2017

Walter Witt

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Expected completion of certificate program: Fall 2016 or Spring 2017

The New M.S. Core

The current (2015-16) Graduate Catalog lists the following requirements:

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Every candidate must complete Real Analysis I (MATH 5210) and Modern Algebra I (MATH 5410), plus at least two (2) of the following:

• Complex Analysis I (MATH 5510)
• Applied Mathematics I (MATH 5610)
• Statistical Methods I (STAT 5710)
• Graph Theory I (MATH 5340)
• Introduction to Topology (MATH 5357)

Plus one two-course sequence.

A proposal is in the works (to better accommodate our students with an interest in statistics) to change these requirements to:

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Every Candidate must complete Real Analysis I (MATH 5210) and either Modern Algebra I (MATH 5410) or Statistical Methods I (STAT 5710), plus a two-course sequence.

Some Questions

1. Who was the first regular faculty member (i.e., nonchair) with a Ph.D.?
2. Who from the department published the first research paper?
3. Where has the department been housed after being in Carson Hall? When was the department moved to Gilbreath Hall room 312?
4. Why does the stairwell landings in the front of Gilbreath intersect the windows?
5. Was there a 4^th floor in Gilbreath Hall?
6. When were all those classes introduced in 1960 first taught and by whom?
7. What’s the story behind our applied and statistics classes?

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The Current Faculty

*These faculty members transferred into the Department of Mathematics from Developmental Studies in 2003.

Total faculty spring 2016: 20 Total faculty fall 2016: 20

The Most Recent Group Photo

Spring 2012 (Not pictured: Joyner, D. Knisley, J. Knisley, Lewis, Marks, Norwood, Poole, and Smith)

References

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1. David Sinclair Burlseson, History of the East Tennessee State College, ETSC Press? (1947).
2. J. And W. E. Cox (eds.), A History of Washington County, Tennessee: a Contribution to the Bicentennial Celebration of Tennessee Statehood, Overmountain Press, Johnson City (2001).
3. Don Good, East Tennessee State University, The Campus History Series, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston/Chicago/Portsmouth/San Francisco (2010).
4. Sonya A. Haskins, Images of America, Johnson City, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston/Chicago/Portsmouth/San Francisco (2005).
5. Johnson City Press and Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City and the People of Northeast Tennessee, Volume 1, Jostens Books (2006) .
6. Ray Stahl, Greater Johnson City, a Pictorial History, Dinning Company/Publishers, Virginia Beach, VA (1983, 1986, 1992).
7. Frank B. Williams, East Tennessee State University - A University’s Story, 1911-1980, ETSU Press, Johnson City, TN (1991).

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Website References

1. Celebrating Our Centennial (in commemoration of ETSU’s 100^th year): https://www.etsu.edu/100years/default.aspx
2. Department of Mathematics and Statistics: http://www.etsu.edu/cas/math/
3. ETSU Abstract Algebra Club: http://faculty.etsu.edu/gardnerr/4127/algebra-club/ETSU-Abstract-Algebra-Club.htm
4. ETSU National Alumni Association website (includes ETSU history and timeline information): http://www.etsualumni.org/s/974/interior-template.aspx?sid=974&gid=1&pgid=1210
5. ETSU Football History: http://cdn.streamlinetechnologies.com/etsubucs/4475FE80-D02E-4CC4-AB99-C00529BA3225/FootballRecordBook2013.pdf
6. Johnson’s Depot (a website concerning the history of Johnson City): http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/index.htm
7. Obituary for Lester Hartsell in Johnson City Press: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Obituary/2016/01/23/Dr-Lester-Hartsell

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