Departmental News

Professor of Mathematics exhibited new paintings in Shoreline, Washington

Published on: Apr 07, 2008
"Transition Gadgets"
By: Sara Lotfy
barry-news@mail.barry.edu

Mr. Lun-Yi Tsai, a faculty member in the Mathematics department exhibited his new paintings throught the month of April at Shoreline Community College Art Gallery in Shoreline, Washington.

His work is inspired by mathematical structures and objects and is a great illustration of the combination of mathematics and art.

His solo exhibition titled “Transition Gadgets,” presents encaustic paintings (the painting medium) inspired by the vivid colors of his new home in Miami. Tsai offers an exploration of mappings, which are quintessential mathematical objects. A mapping takes you from one place to another. What distinguishes your starting point from your destination? There are gadgets that allow you to discover these differences. The artist, with the help of his friend and mathematician Aravind Asok, uses the classical example of Hopf mappings to illustrate the act of mapping from a new perspective.

"His works bring to life difficult mathematical concepts in a way that makes them approachable to a non-mathematician while giving a new visual image to the mathematician's understanding of the idea behind the concept," University of Washington Math Professor Sándor Kovács said. "Lun-Yi’s artistic touch combined with his enthusiasm and relentless energy to strive to understand difficult mathematical concepts yields absolutely unique results.”

Computer Science involved over the years with Habitat For Humanity

Computer Science teams up with new members to continue building the Barry-Habitat house

Construction of the Barry-Habitat house continued this past Saturday, October 4, 2003 with the help of Dr. James Haralambides from Computer Science, several Chapter executive and new members. Eight Barry students were present setting up the plywood for the roof. We had a wonderful time with Riva, the homeowner, who is looking forward to working every Saturday with Barry volunteers.

Executive Division, Computer Science and DoIT help Barry-Habitat house get ready for dedication

On Saturday, January 10th, 2004, the Executive Division, Department of Computer Science, and Division of Information Technology helped lay sod and plant trees in what is the last stage of construction for the Barry-Habitat house.

The Chapter was honored to have Maryellen Letsche from the Executive Division and her daughter, Lauren, a senior in the School of Business, Dr. Chakib Chraibi from Computer Science, Andrew Seaga from University Web Services and his wife, Amanda, and Chapter officers Chetan Dhakan, Miguel Ramirez, Dan Weihermuller, Susana Lopez, and Sue-Yen Wong in the final building trip of our first house.

DoIT, Enrollment Management and Math and Computer Science Build with Habitat

On Saturday, January 14, 2006 the Divisions of Information Technology and Enrollment Management along with Math and Computer Science joined to help paint and frame a couple of houses that Miami Habitat is building in Liberty City. This was the 4th consecutive year that the Division of Information Technology sponsored a Habitat building trip. As the years have gone by other divisions and departments have joined in showing the community that Barry practices what it preaches. Thanks to John Beaubrun for leading this effort and to DoIT for sponsoring lunch. Special thanks go to Helen Corpuz, from Enrollment Management; Terry Kushi and his wife, Rick Estavillo, Jose Ramirez and Martin Dimkovski from Information Technology; and Dr. James Haralambides from Math and Computer Science for their volunteer efforts to change the lives of a couple of families and to strengthen the Liberty City development.

Dr. Chraibi on MSNBC

“Despite Global Concerns Over Outsourcing, the Game is Not Over for IT Professionals”
On November 5, 2003 reporting on the controversial practice of outsourcing jobs such as call centers, financial analysis work, IT management, and even U.S tax preparation to India, MSNBC interviewed Dr. Chakib Chraibi, associate professor of Math & Computer Science at Barry University. Dr. Chraibi explains that outsourcing is not a new phenomenon, although it is new to the technology sector. Studies has shown that in the long run the direct savings in wages are offset by higher costs from travel, communications, remote managerial oversight, and customer relationship management. Dr. Chraibi states that. “The bottom line is that information technology investments and high skilled staff make companies more profitable, flexible, and productive” and still recommends IT/Computer Science is a worthwhile course of study.