SUNY Potsdam Math Alliance Unveils Campus Icosahedron Sculpture on Thursday

POTSDAM, NY (05/05/2015)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Potsdam Math Alliance will unveil a unique new sculpture honoring the College's history of excellence in mathematics education in a ceremony on Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m.

The student organization will dedicate the "sacred geometry" sculpture to the Department of Mathematics and Professor Emeritus Dr. Clarence F. Stephens, who is known for the "Potsdam Miracle," when he led the department to attract an extraordinary number of math majors. The sculpture will also honor the Potsdam Model for mathematics education.

The statue itself is an icosahedron, which is considered the greatest of the five Platonic solids. The sculpture has 20 equilateral triangle faces, with five meeting at each of its 12 vertices.

The SUNY Potsdam Math Alliance Club will mark the occasion with music and refreshments, followed by the unveiling of the sculpture, on Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. The ceremony will be held next to the statue, outside of Carson Hall in the Academic Quad.

The rain date for this event is Saturday, May 9 at 3 p.m., in the same location.

The student organizers wish to thank SUNY Potsdam faculty and students, Alicia Conway, Great Northern and Lowe's, without whose support this project would not have been possible.

The SUNY Potsdam Department of Mathematics offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The program is based on the belief that students can succeed if they are provided with a supportive environment. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Math.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $32 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

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