Farmingdale Student Takes First Place in National Math Contest

Farmingdale State College sophomore Javier Garcia recently took first place in the 2013 annual U.S. National Collegiate Mathematics Championship held in Hartford, Conn.

The championship is part of the annual Mathematical Association of America's conference, MAA Mathfest. 

“This outstanding achievement is a tribute not only to Javier’s abilities as a mathematician,” said Farmingdale State President W. Hubert Keen, “but also to the dedication of his math professors, especially Dr. Neymotin and Dr. Marques.”

Garcia competed against dozens of finalists, drawn from over 1,200 students representing 600 colleges and universities across the U.S. who were invited to the national Mathfest competition. 

Only two of the finalists were able to complete all seven challenge problems which constituted the final event. Javier finished in 20 minutes; the only other student to finish took 35 minutes.

“Javier is a student of exceptional talent in mathematics,” said Dr. Neymotin, a resident of Plainview. “It has been my pleasure not only to teach and mentor him but also to know him as a person.”

Garcia is a sophomore in Applied Mathematics at Farmingdale. His home town is Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The Farmingdale College Foundation provided funding for his expenses.