LEWISBURG, Pa. — These are Bucknell University story ideas that may interest you for March.
TOP 20 AGAIN! — In the college’s fifth year, Bucknell’s Freeman College of Management was named a Top 20 “Best Undergraduate Business Schools” by Poets&Quants For Undergrads — the leading online publication for undergraduate business education news — for a second straight year. The college placed No. 19 in this year’s rankings, released March 1. In addition to its overall ranking, the college also ranked 22nd in career outcomes and admissions, and 24th for academic experience. One distinguishing characteristic of the Freeman College is its emphasis on ethics, sustainability and equity, which permeates the curriculum — from the signature Management 101 course to tax policy classes — featured here. Since its inception, the college has worked to integrate these ideals throughout majors, taking cues from a set of values and goals established by the United Nations. Founded in 2007, the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management (PRME) initiative seeks to transform the future of global enterprise by positively shaping skills and mindsets of today’s business students. The Freeman College is one of two U.S. schools named a 2023 PRME Champion. It will be featured in “10 Business Schools to Watch” this month by Poets&Quants. CONTACT: Interim Dean Cindy Guthrie, 570-577-1253, cindy.guthrie@bucknell.edu
A GOLDEN MATHEMATICAL COMPETITION — Bucknell’s mathematics department annually conducts the John Steiner Gold Mathematical Competition for Pennsylvania high school students for 50 years, making this its golden anniversary when it hosts the competition on Wednesday, March 15. This year, organizers will host well over 100 talented high school students on campus participating in the challenging and fun event. Students are coming from as far away as Carlisle, Allentown, Mansfield and Kennett Square. “The Bucknell Mathematics Department is excited to be hosting the 50th edition of the John Steiner Gold Mathematical Competition,” says Professor Emily Dryden, mathematics chair. “It’s great to see teachers, some of whom did the competition as students, bring enthusiastic high schoolers to Bucknell’s campus. The continued strong attendance and interest in the contest show the enduring allure of playing with fun mathematical ideas!” The competition features 36 problems and the contestants have two hours. The problems require creative problem-solving and get increasingly more difficult; the average score is usually around 10 out of 36. Students work individually but there is also a team component: the winning school is determined by adding the scores of their three designated team members. Organizers are adding a few special features to celebrate this golden anniversary of the Gold Competition. CONTACT: Professor Peter McNamara, mathematics, 570-577-1901, peter.mcnamara@bucknell.edu
WORLD WATER DAY — World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day March 22 that highlights the importance of fresh water and advocates for sustainable management of freshwater resources. The day isn’t lost on Bucknell Director of the Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program Benjamin Hayes, who conducts watershed research on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. Hayes points out that Bucknell relies upon the Susquehanna for its water and “we treasure this river for its beauty and the recreation.” In the five-county regions surrounding Bucknell, over half of the people buy their water from private companies that extract it from the river, water supply reservoirs, or deep groundwater wells and then use expensive treatment systems to make it safe to drink. “The remaining residents live in rural areas with no access to public water or sewage treatment systems,” Hayes says. “These residents drink untreated water they pump from a shallow well near their house. Their toilet and laundry water drains into septic drain fields in their backyards. Eventually, runoff from everyone’s lawns, roads, and farms makes its way into local streams and rivers.” Under Hayes’ guidance, Bucknell students actively collect data and collaborate with local conservation districts and environmental organizations to better understand how to improve local water resources. “Our message this World Water Day is everyone needs to help accelerate this change and look for ways to save water, stop polluting, eat local, and protect nature,” Hayes says. “We recognize that individuals can’t solve the global water problem alone, but we can inspire others and bring about change in our companies, organizations, and governments.” CONTACT: Hayes, 570-577-1830, benjamin.hayes@bucknell.edu
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CONTACT: Mike Ferlazzo, 570-577-3212, 570-238-6266 (c), mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu