As students head into a busy and stressful November, starting new clubs is not on the forefront of everyone’s mind, let alone spending one’s free time wrestling with difficult math problems. But for Lucas Waite ’28, competitive mathematics represents a much-needed respite from schoolwork, rather than a tedious commitment on a résumé. 

In an Oct. 28 all-student email, Waite urged hardcore mathematics majors and casual hobbyists alike to join his newly assembled competitive mathematics club. A day later, math enthusiasts gathered in Hayes Hall 311 to tackle the “Problem of the Week,” a biweekly series of challenges provided by the Department of Mathematics for which students have seven days to come up with a creative solution. The meeting went on for nearly three hours until 11 p.m., with several attendees noting that the problem was particularly difficult that week, as it drew on concepts from number theory — a topic foreign to most non-math-oriented underclassmen. 

According to Waite, despite not yet being an official student organization, the club has received support from the Department of Mathematics. “A [number] of professors approached me … and offered to provide us with books and other resources,” Waite said in an interview with the Collegian. “I am interested in turning this into an official student org, though.” 

When asked about his motivations for founding the club, Waite said, “My high school had a really strong competitive math club and I had a lot of fun. I hope to share the experience with other people.” He also added that while a basic knowledge of algebra would be helpful, one doesn’t need a robust background in college mathematics to join the club. “If you have any interest in math, stop by on one of the Friday nights,” he said. 

Currently, future plans for the group include traveling to various competitions such as a four-college math contest or the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, a prestigious event for  undergraduates in the United States and Canada. Still, Waite emphasized that he is also considering different options based on group interest, including participating in conferences at other colleges and hosting some of its own. 

The next meeting will be held Friday at 8 p.m. in Hayes 311. All students are welcome to attend, whether they are already part of the Kenyon mathematics community or not.