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Three seniors from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Stephen F. Austin State University gained valuable real-world experience through prestigious internships during the summer of 2024.

Hudson Hart, a senior mathematics major from Pearland, spent his summer at Cleveland State University participating in the Great Lake Wind Energy Research Experience for Undergraduates, a National Science Foundation program. During his REU, Hart collaborated with professors and peers to analyze a wind speed prediction model. His project combined mathematics and fluid dynamics to explore renewable energy solutions, including the use of neural networks to improve predictions.

“I was interested in the research process and wanted to apply my background in mathematics,” Hart said. “The Great Lake Wind Energy REU provided me the opportunity to experience research and explore my passion for renewable energy.”

Hart said he enjoyed learning about neural networks they used to predict wind speed as an alternative to the traditional model.

“I found that machine learning is much more mathematical, in a clever sense, than I had anticipated,” he said.

Ethan Hacker, a senior mathematics major with a concentration in data science from Plano, interned at The University of Texas at San Antonio in Dr. Elizabeth Sooby’s extreme environments lab. His research focused on fabricating uranium molybdenum, or U-Mo, fuel core samples for nuclear reactors. Hacker’s work contributes to future research on U-Mo fuels, which are vital for research reactors.

“I wanted to do nuclear research and see what being a career scientist was like,” Hacker said. “I learned that math majors are valued in almost every field, and I feel confident about my career prospects.”

Hacker’s research experience entailed creating six U-Mo samples, starting with U-5Mo and working his way up to U-10Mo. He gained experience using scanning electron microscopy to image the samples as well as acquired melting point data on the samples.

Mackenzie Duckworth, a senior mathematics major with a concentration in actuarial studies from Longview, interned with Milliman’s Property and Casualty practice in Dallas. Over two summers, Duckworth honed her skills by preparing loss reserve analyses, updating loss development factors and assisting with actuarial reports. Her work contributed to the actuarial team’s analysis for insurance clients.

“Loss development was my favorite concept to learn because it’s not taught in school but rather gained through experience,” Duckworth said. “My internship helped me feel more like an actuary, and I’m excited to continue on this career path.”

Securing an entry-level position as an actuarial can be challenging according to Duckworth. She began studying for actuarial exams to obtain an internship. According to her advisor Dr. Sarah Stovall, SFA professor of mathematics and statistics, Duckworth is the first undergraduate student at SFA to have passed three actuarial exams before graduating, which are typically completed in the years following graduation. There are seven total exams to pass before becoming a professional actuary.

Dr. Lesa Beverly, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, praised the students’ dedication and accomplishments.

“We are extremely proud of these students, not just for securing these summer opportunities, but for returning as ambassadors to encourage and inform their peers about the importance of building experience and making connections in preparation for life after university,” said Beverly.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at SFA continues to prepare students for successful careers by offering rigorous academic programs and valuable hands-on experiences, encouraging students to make meaningful contributions to the field of mathematics.

For more information about mathematics and statistics at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/math.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Two students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business recently advanced to the second round of Fastenal’s National Sales Invitational by making compelling 90-second “elevator pitches” for a fictional company as part of a pre-announced case study.

Brylee Adams, marketing senior from Houston, and Oscar Sanchez, management senior from Jasper, earned $200 each from the Rusche College of Business and a spot in the regional second round competition to be held in late October online.

Jason Maes, a Fastenal customer solutions manager, served as one of the judges who provided real-time feedback during the pitches. He said the students received high scores for their industry insights, knowledge of customer challenges and ability to secure “the next meeting.” He also congratulated the SFA faculty members who helped the students build their sales foundational knowledge.

“The participants demonstrated a thorough understanding of the content,” Maes said. “Everyone who has prepared them for this has done a great job.”

In the second round, Adams and Sanchez will compete against students from The University of Texas at Arlington. If one of them wins the second round, they will receive a $100 bonus prize from the Rusche College of Business and advance to the national round to compete with a dozen students in mid-November. The winner of that round, which will be hosted by West Virginia University in Morgantown, receives $2,000, while the second- and third-place finishers receive $1,000 and $750, respectively.

Sanchez said the competition was an informative experience.

“I believe the competition created an atmosphere reflective of a real competitive sales environment where everyone wants the same thing you do,” he said. “Anyone who is looking to test their talent or improve their ability to secure a deal ought to participate in this great opportunity.”

Adams said the competition will assist her in her future career.

“Not only did it help me gain valuable skills for what it’s like in the sales industry, but it also helped me network and start building valuable connections for after I graduate,” she said.

In addition to helping SFA students hone their sales skills, the competition helps Fastenal assess students for possible participation in the company’s fast-growing regional internship program.

“The Rusche College of Business and Fastenal corporate partnership is a win-win,” said Kathryn Blevins, lecturer of management and marketing at SFA. “It helps our students explore their career options before graduating and helps Fastenal find key employees for its workforce.”

Fastenal representatives attending the competition say they’ve already spotted some talented students who would be strong culture fits for their company, which provides supply chain solutions for a variety of industrial products in 25 countries. Six of the 15 Fastenal district managers in the region are SFA alumni.

“All our decisions are made locally — as close to the customer as possible — because our goal is to be where our customers are and help them innovate,” said Kent Birdwell, a Fastenal customer solutions consultant based in Nacogdoches. “To achieve that, we work to give our employees the support they need to have every opportunity for success.”

For more information on the Rusche College of Business, visit sfasu.edu/cob. For more information on Fastenal, visit fastenal.com.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications