The 20th century is now over, as is this semester's Wright Challenge: Doctor E. Strikes Back. Many people have told me that this semester's challenge was the hardest one so far, and I have passed that information on to Doctor E. His comment, "You should have seen the ones I didn't use! Actually, maybe you will see them next time. BWAH HAH HAH!" Doctor E. is brilliant, but he is not known for his maturity.
The winner of this semester's very close, very challenging contest was Team Spartans from SCMT High School in Sheffield, Iowa. Doctor E., myself, the Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the University of Northern Iowa mathematics department all congratulate Abby Sprau, Amy Hughes, Amy Martin, Chelsey Hanig, Derek Schmale, Kaleb Zimmerman and Matt Pals. They will receive a first-prize check of $60, and a rather nice present from Kadon Enterprises. Props go to Sonja Goetz, who must be a pretty exceptional teacher to inspire her students to such a victory. Kudos!
When we said that this contest was close, we were putting it lithely! For the second time in the contest's history, there was a tie for second place. Contest veterans Peter Behroozi and Jimmy Brito can each quobble in the grass with their checks for $30, and their beautiful gifts from our friends at Kadon. Well done, you two!
Hearty pats-on-the-back also go to Eric Potratz, Jessa Flatebo and Alex Power for coming very close. As always, Doctor E. would like to thank the University of Northern Iowa math department for supplying the prizes, and Michele Smith at the Northern Iowan for donating space to the contest. If you found out about the contest from the Waterloo Courier, then you can thank the wonderful Sheryl Ferguson for writing an article about the contest, and if you heard about it on the radio, think kindly of Kay Henderson who interviewed the good Doctor far too early in the morning. Countless other newspapers and high-schools were notified, thanks to the efforts of Nan Sash and the UNI Department of Public Relations. Doctor E will never forgive the latter for deleting the phrase "ruggedly handsome" from my press release. (Contest winner Sonja Goetz heard about the contest from your mailing, Nan; you rock!)
Not even I know where Doctor E. is right now, but I have a hunch that whatever the location, he is salaaming photographs of Andy Poe, Kate Jones and Adrienne Stanley for giving him permission to adapt their original puzzles to his contest. We are never going to look at convenience stores, pentominoes, or Iowa State professors quite the same way, you three! Thanks!
There is a special place in sponsor-heaven reserved for Kadon Enterprises who adopted the little-contest-that-could before it became the slightly-larger-contest-that-could that we now know and love. Their website has lots of on-line puzzles and things worth checking out, so do so! When you do visit, it would be a Good Thing to send them an email saying, "Doctor E. sent me." And it certainly wouldn't hurt to use the phrase "ruggedly handsome."
And the biggest "Thank You" of all goes out to the 99 of you that participated this time around. While lesser mortals were gallivanting about, filling their days with foolishness and frippery, you were tackling some truly tortuous trials, and taking the time to transmit them as well! We truly hope that you enjoyed your involvement with the contest, and join us again next semester.
Yes, you heard rightly, puzzle-pilgrim!
Doctor E. will be returning
next semester
in the creatively titled
The Wright Challenge IV: Doctor E. Returns!
Oh boy! An all-new Wright Challenge next semester. Watch this website, the Northern-Iowan, and the walls of Wright Hall for more news. More perplexing puzzles! More Exciting thrills! More Danger and Suspense! More silly trivia questions! And yes, because you requested it, EVEN MORE FUN!
Have a great break, and we will see you in January!
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Strikes Back #5
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Strikes Back #4
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Strikes Back #3
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Strikes Back #2
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Strikes Back #1
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to visit The Wright Challenge, Fall 1999
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Wright Challenge: Doctor E's Revenge, Spring 2000
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