Origin of NYSMATYC

The mathematical associations in existence in the late sixties were primarily serving the needs of elementary and secondary school teachers of four-year colleges and university personnel. The dramatic growth of two-year colleges during this period clearly justified the formation of a professional association devoted exclusively to the unique problems of teaching mathematics at the two-year college level. The movement to create such an organization in New York State began with a small nucleus of community college mathematics educators led by John Vadney of Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

In early 1966, John Vadney organized a group of two-year college mathematics faculty to present a panel discussion at the Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) to be held in Syracuse on May 6-7, 1966. The section meeting was entitled "Mathematics in the Community College." The five panel members were:

John Vadney, Fulton-Montgomery C.C. (Moderator)
Anthony Behr, Queensborough Community College
Robert Burghardt, Rockland Community College
Deane Goodness, Jefferson Community College
Calvin Lathan, Monroe Community College

Although the main topic of the panel discussion was to be placement of freshmen into mathematics courses, the following excerpts from the letter written by John Vadney to panel members shows the broader problem that would be addressed by the panel:

"...As of this time, one thing seems to be shaping up is the question of an organization of two-year schools, devoted exclusively to the problems of the mathematics curriculum. I have talked to other members of the panel..., and most of them think that this might be a good idea .... I would like to hear from you concerning this potential organization, as I would like to be able to offer some concrete suggestions at the time of the meeting."

That panel discussion, held in Syracuse on May 6, 1966, clearly marks the birth of NYSMATYC. The movement to create a statewide two-year college mathematics association had begun.

In order to continue the discussions regarding a new association with a larger audience, John Vadney made arrangements for a mathematics group meeting to be scheduled at the Annual Two-Year College Conference held at the Agricultural and Technical College in Delhi from June 15-17, 1966. Because of the late date of the decision, the mathematics group meeting was listed on the addendum sheet to the program. One of the topics listed for discussion at the group meeting was "Affiliation or Association?"

It became obvious at this meeting that there was a definite interest in creating a new association which would be independent of the mathematics organizations in existence at that time. A Constitution Committee, with John Vadney as chairman, was chosen at the meeting. Its mandate was to start work on a constitution and by-laws for the new group, as well as to develop a statement of purpose and a philosophy. As a starting point, the constitution of a newly formed Association of Physics Teachers was used.

During the summer of 1966, John Vadney invited Herb Gross of Coming Community College to become involved in this fledgling organization. John recognized that Herb Gross had the personality and style that would be very helpful in getting the organization started. Without hesitation, Herb joined in the movement. Although John Vadney would continue to play a leadership role in the formation of the organization, the impetus for action would now shift from John to Herb Gross, a position that Herb was to maintain through the early days of the association.

With the reopening of college in September, questionnaires and newsletters about the new association began pouring out of Coming Community College. During this time, Herb Gross developed a plan to hold a meeting in conjunction with the AMTNYS Convention in May 5-6, 1967. The meeting would take the form of a pre-conference beginning on Wednesday evening, May 3rd and would continue on Thursday with a full schedule of meetings/panel discussions. During this time period, the constitution for the new association would be considered.

Herb's double conference concept was well received. In November 1966, a letter outlining the plans for the two-pronged meeting in May 1967 was sent to two-year college mathematics educators throughout the state. Herb Gross enlisted Calvin Lathan of Monroe Community College to make the hotel arrangements for the-pre-conference. By February 1967, Calvin had made firm plans with the Hotel Syracuse to provide facilities for the Community College Teachers of Mathematics, the interim name of our new organization. In addition, the program for the pre-conference was complete.

In April 1967, John Vadney, Chairman of the Constitution Committee, sent the members of the Constitution Committee a copy of the revised constitution. The copy contained all the suggestions made by the members. The deadline for any further revisions was April 21. The Wednesday night panel of the pre-conference was designated as the time to present the proposed constitution for ratification. By this time, a second name appeared for the yet nonexistent association: New York State Mathematics Association of Junior Colleges.

On Wednesday evening, May 3, 1967, eighty two-year college mathematics educators representing twenty three of the state's two-year-colleges met at 9 p.m. in the Cavalier Room of the Hotel Syracuse. The meeting was called to order by John Vadney, who then gave a brief review of the beginnings of the organization.

A motion was made by Robert Meecham of Fulton-Montgomery Community College and seconded by Abe Weinstein of Nassau Community College to form an organization to be known as the Association of Mathematics Teachers of the Two-Year Colleges of New York State. The motion was carried unanimously. A second motion was made by David McNitt of Coming and seconded by Larry Clar of Monroe Community College that the constitution be accepted with, however, the name amended. The motion passed unanimously and the New York State Mathematics Association of Two Year Colleges, NYSMATYC, was born.

Before the Wednesday night adjournment, a nominating committee was chosen to present a slate of officers before the end of the NYSMATYC portion of the convention. On the following day the following were chosen to lead the new group:

President:                     Herb Gross, Coming Community College
President-Elect              John Vadney, Fulton-Montgomery Community College
Secretary                      Deane Goodness, Jefferson Community College
Treasurer                      John Walter, Nassau Community College

An ad-hoc Advisory Board was also chosen:

Irving Dodes                 Kingsborough Community College
James Eastham            Queensborough Community College
Abraham Weinstein       Nassau Community College
Allyn Washington          Dutchess Community College
Calvin Lathan                Monroe Community College
William Viertal               SUNY, Canton  (replaced by: Robert Burghardt, Rockland Community College.)

The final stage in the formation of NYSMATYC occurred at the Annual SUNY Two-Year College Conference at the Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred on June 14-15. The main business item at this meeting was to consider changes to the NYSMATYC constitution as recommended by a committee which had been formed at the Syracuse meeting. Twenty-nine people from sixteen two-year colleges were in attendance. In addition to revising the constitution (see Appendix, Item I), it was decided at the Alfred meeting that everyone in attendance at the Syracuse meeting be considered a member of the association. A list of the sixty-six charter members is in the Appendix.

Therefore, the organization completed its first phase of existence thirteen months after the panel discussion held at the AMTNYS Conference in May 1966. Since then, NYSMATYC has grown from a small nucleus of charter members to a membership in excess of three hundred fifty, representing over fifty two-year colleges in New York State.

The essence of NYSMATYC is perhaps best characterized by the following statement by Robert Burghardt (Rockland Community College):

“The style of humor, friendliness, camaraderie, and enthusiasm first stamped on the association by Herb Gross and the charter members has been a constant feature of NYSMATYC to the present time."