March 25, 2025
Trine University hosted the Northeast Region Finalist Announcement for the Modeling the Future Challenge (MTFC) on Thursday, March 20.
Held virtually, the event recognized the three teams of high school students that qualified as regional finalists. Those teams will refine their projects for submission to the MTFC National Symposium.
More than 40 teachers and students took part in the event.
Actuarial science panel
As part of the event, Michael Smith, assistant professor of mathematics and actuarial science, moderated a panel of Trine University actuarial science students and graduates.
Panelists were: Allyssa Richie, a 2022 graduate with double majors in mathematics and actuarial science who now works for SummitRe in Fort Wayne; Lexi Westendorf, a 2024 graduate with double majors in mathematics and actuarial science who works for MedPro; and Lauren Alexander, a junior double majoring in mathematics and actuarial science.
The panelists discussed why they decided to study actuarial science at Trine and their experiences with coursework, internships, capstone projects and jobs.
The high school students received information packets about Trine and the actuarial science program.
Video of the event is available on Vimeo.
Prof. Smith will host an interactive activity during the MTFC National Symposium Opening Ceremony on Monday, April 28.
The MTFC is an academic competition conducted by The Actuarial Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to changing lives through math education, and managed by the Institute of Competition Sciences. The event seeks to increase engagement with and awareness of actuarial science, data science and mathematical modeling among high school students, teachers and the general public.
Trine University has named Alecia Pfefferkorn, an experienced educator and administrator who has served at several area school corporations as well as at the university, as dean of its Franks School of Education (FSOE).
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Students and faculty from Trine University’s Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering traveled to the University of Notre Dame for the annual American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Indiana-Kentucky Student Symposium, with two Trine teams finishing in the top three of their respective events.