Georgia Gwinnett College hosted its ninth annual Olifer Math Competition on March 24, bringing together 166 students from grades 1 through 8 across Gwinnett County and surrounding areas. The event, held on the college campus, provided an opportunity for young math enthusiasts to compete and connect with others who share their interest in mathematics.
The competition is named in honor of Dr. Andrei Olifer, a mathematics professor at Georgia Gwinnett College who founded and organized the event before his passing in 2019. Organizers say the competition aims to encourage students to pursue careers in math and science while fostering a sense of community among participants.
Habib Rahman, a Lawrenceville resident and Georgia Gwinnett College graduate from the class of 2012, attended the event with his son Ayman, a seventh-grade student at Creekland Middle School who participated for the third time this year. “I had amazing professors who really cared about students,” Rahman said. He noted that while he enjoyed finance and business courses during his studies at GGC, two U.S. history classes made a lasting impression after he moved to America from Bangladesh.
Ayman shared his enthusiasm for mathematics: “Math is interesting once you get into it,” he said. “I’d like to be a neurosurgeon someday.” Rahman added that participation is about more than just winning: “Win or lose, it’s about taking the initiative and being willing to learn,” he said.
Several college students volunteered at the event as well. Josie Nunez, a sophomore majoring in biology, said volunteering was an easy decision because she enjoys working with children: “I’m a people person, and I love working with kids.” Caleb Polk, a freshman studying systems and cybersecurity from Loganville, also volunteered because he likes seeing younger kids develop an interest in math or IT careers: “One thing I tell them is to study hard and review things before class,” Polk said.
Dr. Ekaterina Nathanson, associate professor at GGC’s mathematics department, explained why such events matter: “This is for the kids and the community,” Nathanson said. “Parents are always looking for opportunities like this. We want to encourage students to pursue careers in math and science.” Several professors demonstrated practical applications of math before and after the competition.
