"Closing time, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here..."

Yes, it is closing time for yet another gratuitiously silly episode of The Wright Challenge.  In spite of an unfortunate server crash at the beginning, we had plenty of participation and good spirits throughout a very snowy spring semester.  Let's get right to the results, shall we?

The third place winner was team Cal/Dows.  A total of 55 hearty handshakes should pass between Dylan Bosch, Latacia Borcherding, Sarah Dohrmann, Sarah Eddy, Brad Fahrmann, Chad Harrison, Leslie Johansen, Christina Lentz, Jeff Peil, Melissa Root and Jocelyn Wiarda, the proud winners of  $20 and a treat from our friends at Kadon Enterprises.   Their pre-calculus instructor, Mike Tierney, should bask in their reflected glory!  Good job, all.

In second place, we have wordsmith extra-ordinare Peter Behroozi.   Peter will have plenty of time to generate paraprodokians and lists of celebrities with last-names-that-are-fruit with the vast amounts of leisure his $40 prize will buy him, although he may be distracted by his lovely gift from Kadon.  Congratulations, Peter.

This was a very close contest, which included some quite subtle puzzles.   But, to paraphrase Kaga Takeshi: "Only one cuisine can reign supreme."   And the winner of this semester's contest, the Last Highlander, the alpha-puzzler, the math-conqueror is none other than Alex Power.  In addition to props from Doctor E., myself, the Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the University of Northern Iowa math department, Alex is going to have to hire Gordon the accountant to help him shelter his $60 grand prize and his truly remarkable gift from Kadon.  Very nice job, Alex.

Hearty pats-on-the-back also go to Eric Potratz, Tim Hilby, Jimmy Brito, and Doug Dicken for exemplary performances. Doctor E. is saving one special hearty pat-on-the-back for Michele Smith for giving the contest space in the Northern Iowan.  Thanks again to Nan Sash and the UNI Department of Public Relations for making sure that people heard about the contest, and Cameron Miller for working so diligently to get our web-server up and running after it went down.   When the winners get their prizes in a timely manner, they will have Nadine Lilleskov to thank.

As you know Doctor E.'s travels (and expense reports) are the stuff of legend.  What many people don't understand is why he had to travel to Hawaii, Aruba, Jamacia, and Ibzia to research puzzles, when all he had to do was to steal some from Adrienne Stanley and Martin Gardner (and the ever-present Douglas Shaw of course).  Of special note is the completely twisted Bob Kraus of Chicago, whose "Ten Statements" puzzle is nothing short of genius.   (Thanks for the permission, Bob!)

Why would the world's best makers of games, puzzles and mathematical art adopt a tiny little contest like this one?  I have no idea, but Kadon Enterprises has been a strong supporter of this contest, and we urge you to visit their web-site, at least just to poke around.   (And, as always, tell 'em Doctor E. sent you)  They have truly fascinating on-line puzzles and articles and things, so you should have a really fun visit.

And of course, the biggest thanks of all goes to all of you who submitted solutions to this semester's challenge.  You are appreciated.  Your participation is the reason that this madcap romp of a contest has gone on for four semesters, and will be coming back for a fifth.  If you've had some fun, make sure to tell all your friends.

And tell them in time...
for...
the one...
the only...

Wright Challenge V: Beyond the Puzzledome

Can you even DEAL with the excitement?  There will be more puzzles, more obscure figures of speech, more handsome certificates, suitable for framing, and all the complete merriment that you've grown to expect from us.  So relax this summer, fine-tune your mind, and get ready for the fall, because we'll be coming right back atcha!

"Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..."

Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #6
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #6
Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #5
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #5
Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #4 
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #4
Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #3 
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #3
Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #2 
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #2 
Click here to go to Doctor E. Returns #1
Click here to go to the solution to Doctor E. Returns #1

Click here to visit The Wright Challenge, Fall 1999
Click here to visit The Wright Challenge: Doctor E's Revenge, Spring 2000
Click here to visit The Wright Challenge: Doctor E Strikes Back, Fall 2000

Web Page design: Doug Shaw