Department of Mathematics and Statistics hosts Math Day 2026

By Rachel Carroll | May 28, 2026

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics hosted Math Day 2026 on campus on Feb. 5.

Thirteen high schools from the West Kentucky area participated in the event for a total of 241 registered students and 23 teachers. Participating schools included: Academy for Individual Excellence, Calloway County High School, Carlisle County High School, Fulton County High School, Graves County High School, Hickman County High School, Marshall County High School, Massac County High School, Mayfield High School, Murray High School, Northside Baptist Christian School, Paducah Tilghman High School and Trigg County High School.

High school students and teachers engaged in a full day of math competitions and math-related activities in Lovett Auditorium and Faculty Hall. The day began with an individual math competition in the morning followed by an alumnus talk by Glenna Buford, who graduated from Murray State with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and computer science in 2010.  Buford currently works as the Senior Engineering Manager at Ōura. The talk was part of the eighth annual Jesse D. Jones Lecture Series, and students had the opportunity to ask questions about pursuing a career in mathematics. After lunch, students participated in a team competition where, in teams of three or four, students worked through hands-on activities. Awards were presented to the top performing teams in the team competition, the top performing students in each exam level (lower and upper) and to the top performing school. 

Team competition winners: 

First place: Graves County High School – Drew Johnson, Kaiden Luckey, Lane Lunsford and Xander Mills

Second place: Marshall County High School – Lauren Noles, Lily Ratzlaff and Maverick Simmons

Third place: Massac County High School – Jenner Batha, Hunter Beck, Reese Thompson and Bella Weidig

Lower and Upper Exam winners:  

First place: Sumin Park (Murray High School); Ava Bogard (Calloway County High School)

Second place: Kyler McKeel (Calloway County High School); Maverick Simmons (Marshall County High School)

Third place: Kyler Myers (Calloway County High School); Aubrey Naber (Calloway County High School)

Fourth place: Zackary Haws (Calloway County High School); Brandon Daughaday (Murray High School)

Fifth place:  Jude Heidel (Trigg County High School); Anastasia Arkova (Murray High School)

Recognition for scholarships: Top juniors taking the Upper Level Exam: 

Highest score: Maya Munoz (Calloway County High School)

Second highest score: David Heinig (Graves County High School)

Third highest score: Jesse Morris (Graves County High School)

Recognition for scholarships: Top seniors taking the Upper Level Exam: 

Highest score: Maverick Simmons (Marshall County High School)

Second highest score: Aubrey Naber (Calloway County High School)

Third highest score: Brandon Daughaday (Murray High School)

Top Performing School: Calloway County High School

Math Day 2026 at Murray State University is funded by Dr. Jesse D. Jones, the Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. For more information, visit murraystate.edu/mathday.