Congressional Apportionment

I have a Bachelor of Science with majors in chemistry and mathematics from St. Martin's College, Olympia, Washington; a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Arizona, Tucson; and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of New Hampshire, Durham (December 1968).

 

After my studies I held a full-time faculty position in the Department of Mathematics at Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.   I loved teaching a variety of courses: Precalculus, Calculus I and II, Introduction to Mathematical Thought (basic mathematical logic and set theory), Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, and Mathematical Modeling.  The mathematical modeling research was primarily devoted to the modeling of natural resource systems including spotted owl populations.  The interest in population models led to research on the chemostat to modeling systems of microbial populations.

 

I retired from the mathematics department in May 2005.  Since then I've taken a keen interest in United States history after learning about my 6th great grandfather's migration from Dorchester, County Dorset, England, to Biles Island on the western bank of the Delaware River in 1689.  I took several history classes at Humboldt State University.  I am particularly indebted to Professor Tom Mays at HSU and to the noted historian Ray Raphael.

 

During one of Professor Mays's classes I chose congressional apportionment as my research project.  I was loosely acquainted with the mathematical side of the topic.  This gave me an opportunity to delve into the historical record.  I have been smitten by the topic ever since.

 

I am indebted to Professors Tom Mays, Dale Oliver, Kami Larripa, Tim Lauck, Holland Heese, and Steven Margell at Humboldt State University, Professors John Martin and Dan Munton at Santa Rosa Junior College, Professors Karen Carter and Levi Gill at College of the Redwoods, and Ms. Ashlee Buszek at Academy of the Redwoods for trusting me to give lectures on apportionment in their classes.  I have had the pleasure of presenting colloquia on the subject at Humboldt State, Sonoma State, and Northern Arizona University.