Mathematics and Statistics News

Dr. Jessica McDonald, recipient of 2013-2014 Dr. Robert K. Butz Award for Excellence in Teaching

Congratulations are in order

CONGRATULATIONS: Dr. Peng Zeng, 2013-2015 Jack B. Brown Endowed Faculty Award Recipient Dr. Peng Zeng has been selected as the recipient of the 2013-2015 Jack B. Brown Endowed Faculty Award.

Our graduate students John Asplund, James Hammer, and Joe Chaffee have been awarded $550 each by the conference organizer to attend and present at the Graduate Student Combinatorics Conference (GSCC), University of Minnesota, April 19-21, 2013.

The National Science Foundation has granted $202,758 to Overtoun Jenda and Peter Johnson, of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, for the purpose of conducting Research Experience for Undergraduates in Algebra and Discrete Mathematics programs during the summers of 2013, 2014, and 2015. Each program will run for 8 weeks, with 8 participants selected from all over the U.S. In the past, Jenda and Johnson have co-directed 9 such programs, under 3 different NSF grants. Over 25 papers produced by participants in these programs, either alone, or with each other, or in collaboration with faculty, have appeared in refereed mathematics journals or books.

On Jan. 15, a dinner was held in recognition of Chris Rodger, the inaugural recipient of the Logan Chair, established by Don and Sandy Logan. Rodger is the associate dean for research and graduate studies for COSAM. The Logan Chair is designed to support superior faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who possess academic leadership in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and university and professional service, including outreach activities, within the department, with each category weighted equally. Additionally, the recipient of the Logan Chair is expected to work to strengthen and enhance mathematics, and serve as a positive role model for students and colleagues.

Tin-Yau Tam has been invited as a plenary speaker of the 19th ILAS conference at Sung Kyun Kwan University, Suwon, KOREA, August 6 - 9, 2014. ILAS 2014 is one of the main satellite conferences of ICM (International Congress of Mathematicians). The conference organizers will provide him partial travel support.

The 2012 - 2013 Mathematics & Statistics Administrative Team has been announced.

COSAM named two recipients of the 2012 Dean’s Outstanding Outreach Award, David King, professor of geology, and Ash Abebe, associate professor of mathematics and statistics. The annual Outstanding Outreach Award is given to COSAM faculty members with recent records of service and outreach performance that extend beyond normal expectations.