Pi Day goes virtual with game show theme

For the 21st consecutive year, Fredonia’s Department of Mathematical Sciences will celebrate Pi Day, albeit with a virtual twist this time, on Thursday, March 11, at 6 p.m., a little more than three days (actually, 3.14 days) prior to the real 2021 Pi Day on Sunday, March 14.

Math seniors will captain five teams as they play a zany version of the ‘70s television classic “Match Game,” beginning at 6 p.m. Teams will attempt to “fill in the blanks” and match the responses of “B” list celebrities, who are the department’s own esteemed faculty.

The Pi Cup will be awarded to the winning team, and all its members will receive a one-off t-shirt. The Pi Cup will be on display in the department’s “fishbowl” the week prior to the event.

Organizers guarantee a fun time for all, citing 3.14 reasons: all kinds of silly math humor; no pressure; seeing Distinguished Teaching Professor Robert Rogers in a leisure suit and, as a partial or bonus reason, the opportunity to be awarded t-shirt for the best-dressed student in ‘70s garb. (In fact, all math faculty will be encouraged to dress in their favorite ‘70s attire.)

To participate in the event, contact Alexis Wydysh, the department’s ace grad student, via email before March 9 and type “I want the cup!” on the subject line. A Zoom link will be sent the day of the event.