Ritchey to discuss presidential election math
EAST LIVERPOOL — Kent State-East Liverpool’s Speakers Series continues Thursday as Dr. Nate Ritchey presents “The Mathematics of Electing a President: Some Striking Observations of How America Elects its Presidents.”
The presentation begins at noon Thursday in the Quiet Study Lounge in Purinton Hall.
“It may be surprising to learn that citizens of the United States of America do not have the right to vote directly for a candidate in a presidential election,” Ritchey stated. “In fact, four times in the history of this country, the elected president did not receive a majority of the popular vote. By developing a mathematical context for this process, it is possible to make some interesting observations regarding the upcoming election. For example, it is possible for as little as 20 percent of the popular vote to elect a president and that a tie is actually possible.”
Ritchey is vice president of Systems Integration at Kent State University, the senior officer responsible for the oversight of the university’s seven regional campuses. He previously served as vice president for strategic initiatives and founding dean of the College of Science and Health Professions at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
For 24 years, Ritchey was at Youngstown State University and held faculty and administrative positions, starting in 1989, as an assistant professor in the department of mathematics and statistics. He advanced to full professor in 1998, department chair in 2000, and interim associate provost in 2006. While at YSU, he also served as director of the University Scholars and Honors Program and, from 1990-2000, worked as a medical researcher at St. Elizabeth Health System.
Ritchey has authored numerous articles and co-authored several mathematics textbooks. He received his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; his Master of Science degree in applied mathematics degree; and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University.