Kappa Mu Epsilon

Table of Contents

History of KME

In mathematics, Pi Mu Epsilon became the national fraternity for instructors and advanced students in educational institutions offering graduate work. Since the first fraternities open to mathematics students on the undergraduate level were organized by science departments, the need for a national fraternity that would attract such students through their mathematics departments was recognized. Kappa Mu Epsilon was organized to fill this need, and Dr. Emily Kathryn Wyant is considered to be its founder. 

Origination of KME

Together Dr. Wyant and Professor Woods along with twenty-two other faculty and students became charter members of Oklahoma Alpha, Northeastern Oklahoma State Teachers College, Tahlequah, April 18, 1931. Since Dr. Wyant maintained an extensive correspondence with faculty members at other institutions, the second chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, Iowa Alpha, was installed at Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, May 27, 1931. Kansas Alpha, the third chapter, was installed January 30, 1932, at Kansas State Teachers College, Pittsburg. Then came Missouri Alpha, Southwest Missouri State College, Springfield, May 20, 1932.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State College for Women and Mississippi State College were preparing to inaugurate an independent fraternity. But rather than starting a competing organization, they agreed to unite with the other chapters of Kappa Mu Epsilon that had already been formed. Thus, Mississippi Alpha, Mississippi State College for Women, Columbus, was installed May 30, 1932, and Mississippi Beta, Mississippi State College, Mississippi State, was installed December 14, 1932, bringing the membership to six chapters in five states by the end of 1932.

Today Kappa Mu Epsilon has become a specialized honor society with one hundred twenty-nine or more active chapters, located in colleges and universities of recognized standing, which offer a strong mathematics major, in thirty-four states. The chapters' members are selected from students of mathematics or closely related fields, who have professional merit and attain academic distinction. Approximately sixty thousand students have been initiated so far, and since Kappa Mu Epsilon was founded, they have helped it become more than a group of isolated chapters devoted solely to the election of honor students to membership. Indeed, each chapter is encouraged to be a working organization throughout the academic year, functioning as an integral part of the mathematics department through worthwhile extra-curricular activities.

Who May Become a Member?

Election to membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon is independent of membership in any other organization, and no one shall be disqualified by their sex, race, creed or color. Members may transfer their affiliation from one chapter to another by presenting credentials of membership in good standing. 

Reasons to Become a Member

1. Membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon recognizes individual achievement in mathematics that provides distinction and encouragement at a time when the training needs of our society are becoming more quantitative. Chapter officers, committee members, and individual students also obtain excellent opportunities for leadership experience. Since the society is not a secret organization, its symbolism may be explained to anyone interested and guests may be invited to the installation/initiation ceremonies or any other program arranged by the chapter.
2. Chapters of Kappa Mu Epsilon sponsor many activities for their members. The chapters sponsor public meetings and bring speakers of local and national prominence before the group. Individual members are invited to present papers and to discuss topics of mutual interest before a friendly audience, thus broadening their knowledge and increasing their interest in mathematics, while furnishing opportunity for individual expression. Participation in related activities, such as the Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, is also encouraged.
3. An attractive membership certificate and valuable key pin are prepared for each member as part of their national registration and initiation fees. Each initiate also receives an automatic two-year subscription to The Pentagon, which is the official journal of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, and by returning some of the national registration and initiation fees for program or travel expenses, the National Council encourages local chapters to participate in regional and national conventions.
4. Election to membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon or any one of the national honorary societies that meet the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies qualifies a member for a GS-7 rating by the United States Civil Service Commission.

Miscellaneous Information

Official business of Kappa Mu Epsilon is transacted at the national convention by delegates from each chapter and members of the National Council: the National President, National President-Elect, National Secretary, National Treasurer, and National Historian. A national convention is held during odd-numbered years for the purpose of receiving student papers, electing officers, voting on motions to amend the constitution or by-laws, voting on motions relating to establishment of new chapters, and deciding matters concerning the society. Since 1972, regional conventions are also held during even-numbered years under the sponsorship of a regional director in cooperation with the national council. When a chapter decides to host a regional convention, the chapters in the region as well as those from surrounding states are invited to attend.

Student papers are featured at regional as well as national conventions, and by the time a paper reaches a convention its academic level is sufficiently good to be considered for publication in The Pentagon. The Pentagon, which is published twice each year, is the official journal of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, and it may have been named after the mathematics club that eventually became the first chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon. In addition to student papers, it contains news items about various chapters and their activities, as well as interesting problems and book reviews that help to promote the following five-fold objectives of the society:

1. to further the interests of mathematics in those schools which place their primary emphasis on the undergraduate programs,
2. to help undergraduate students realize the important role that mathematics has played in the development of civilization,
3. to develop an appreciation of the power and beauty possessed by mathematics, due mainly to its demand for logical and rigorous modes of thought,
4. to provide a society for the recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of mathematics at the undergraduate level, and
5. to disseminate the knowledge of mathematics and to familiarize its members with current progress in this important area of human interest.

How May New Chapters Be Formed?

National Council for 2007-2009

President:  Dr. Donald Tosh
Dept. of Science and Technology
Evangel University
Springfield, MO  65802
(417) 865-2815
Email:  toshd@evangel.edu

President-Elect:  Dr. Ron Wasserstein
Academic Affairs
Washburn University
Topeka, KS  66621

Secretary:  Dr. Rhonda McKee
Dept. of Mathematics and Comp. Sci.
Central Missouri State University
Warrensburg, MO  64093
(660) 543-8929
Email:  mckee@cmsu1.cmsu.edu

Treasurer:  Dr. Cynthia Woodburn
Dept. of Mathematics
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS  66762
(620) 235-4409

Historian:  Dr. Connie Schrock
Dept. of Math. Comp. Sci. & Electronics
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS  66801
(620) 341-5631
Email:  schrockc@emporia.edu

Past President:  Dr. Robert L. Bailey
Dept. of Mathematics
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY  14109
(716) 286-8197
Email:  rlb@niagara.edu