Katie Rudins

Greetings!  My name is Katie Rudins, and I was born and raised in Fletcher, NC (just south of Asheville).  I am a rising junior Applied Mathematics and Business Administration double major with a Data Analytics minor at Furman.

I am so excited for Math and the Mouse 2024!  I have been eagerly awaiting these three weeks for 2.5 years now.  When I was a senior in high school, I visited Furman and met Dr. Harris and Dr. Hutson, who enthusiastically told me about this program.  I vividly remember walking through Riley Hall with Dr. Hutson in Feburary 2022 as he pointed to the fascinating Math and the Mouse research projects hanging on the walls.  I could not wait to be a member of a future cohort, and here we are, on our way to Orlando!  I am really looking forward to working closely with my peers, challenging myself on research projects, and exploring mathematics in a new way.  I believe the research I complete on this trip will be a fun, useful, real-life application of mathematics.  I am excited to challenge and develop my math and communication skills outside of the traditional classroom setting.  I am especially interested in learning more about the field of operations research (OR).  I have heard other students talk enthusiastically about this topic in the math department, but I have a very shallow understanding of what this field is and the type of math involved.  OR seems like a very practical field of mathematics that encourages problem-solving and research, both of which are of interest to me.  

Although this is an academically-focused program, I cannot forget I am in the magical world of Disney.  I am excited to take advantage of the many entertainment opportunities and have fun with my peers.  I have only previously been to Walt Disney World one time, and I was four years old, so the experience will be entirely new to me.  I have a few key memories from my experience sixteen years ago, and I would love to relive these memories for the nostalgia...riding The Barnstormer Starring the Great Goofini, jumping with Tigger (see picture), playing Toy Story Mania, and watching the parade in front of the Castle.

As a young adult, I am excited to experience thrilling coasters, specifically Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night during a fireworks show.  Many Disney enthusiasts, including the professors, rave about this.  In addition to the rides, I am also particularly excited about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and the Four Park Challenge with alumni.  While I am unsure of what to expect, I imagine The Four Park Challenge will be a mathematical twist on the reality TV show, "The Amazing Race," which is sure to be an unforgettable competition.

Looking forward to an awesome three weeks of mathematical magic!