In 1903, Adolph Shloming was born in a small village to a poor family in Romania. His education took place in Bucharest where he studied languages in addition to mathematics. As a young man, Adolph spoke a half dozen languages including German, Russian, Hungarian, Hebrew, Yiddish and of course Romanian. Along with his love of languages was his passion for chess and mathematics. His long hours of concentration over a chessboard prepared him to be analytical and patient. Figuring out the optimum move involved examining many possibilities and their consequences. These characteristics helped him solve a variety of mathematical problems; many of them recreational. To Adolph, problem solving was as enjoyable and challenging as an exciting game of chess!
To his credit, he was a master chess player as well as a gifted problem solver.
In 1930, he left Romania for the United States and lived in Harlem. While in New York City, he was active in the union movement. His main concern was the improvement of the working conditions in the sweatshops, which were quite numerous in the 30’s. In addition, he was a member of the Workmen’s Circle which was a social and educational association for workers who recently emigrated from Europe. The Workmen’s Circle had many educational programs for newly arrived families. Adolph supported the idea that the language for the parents to master was English and that they should speak it at home. The second language for the children was the language of mathematics. He held to the idea that mathematics was the gateway to success.
In keeping with Adolph’s love of mathematics, the mathematics department at Essex County College offers the A. Shloming Mathematics Prize Exam that is open to all students at the college. This annual college level mathematics competition has been held for more than a decade. The participants are challenged with problems from algebra, geometry, trigonometry and elementary calculus. Being exposed to challenging and non-routine problems results in student enthusiasm for mathematics.
Adolph’s son, Robert Shloming, sponsors this prize exam in honor of his father. Following his father’s dedication to mathematics, Robert earned a Ph.D. from New York University and has taught in the Essex County College mathematics department for more than three decades. By offering this mathematics exam, Dr. Shloming hopes that the best and the brightest Essex County College students will share in the challenges and joys of this competition. But it is really more than a competition. One of the objectives is to create a community of students that will be enthusiastic and motivated to discuss mathematical problems and consider careers in mathematics or related fields.
I wish to thank the entire mathematics department for supporting this endeavor. Also I would like to extend my special gratitude to Prof. Ron Bannon. Without Ron’s tireless efforts to develop, publicize, proofread and score the prize exam, Essex County College would not have this wonderful event. Last, but certainly not least, I want to congratulate all the participants who have taken a courageous step in experiencing a mathematics competition.
Good Luck to All
Dr. Robert Shloming
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