The Department of Mathematics welcomed William Yslas Vélez as the speaker for the 32nd annual Lonseth Lecture on on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Prior to his lecture, the department celebrated the achievements of undergraduates, graduates, and faculty with the annual Mathematics awards ceremony. Following the lecture, alumni and faculty joined in judging a graduate student poster competition.
Lonseth Lecture
In his lecture, Vélez argued that, too often, undergraduate students rule out further study in mathematics due to self-assessments based on peer interactions, instructor feedback, and their relationship to the material itself, in terms of how competent they feel as well as how passionate. And, at the undergraduate level, subjects like algebra and analysis are often taught as dry, discrete topics with little relevance to each other. Yet beyond the classroom, mathematical research is dynamic and interconnected in a way that more students would find engaging if they were introduced to it early on. Mathematics opens many doors for students and should never be an obstacle to a desired career path.
The Lonseth Lecture was established in 1985 to honor Arvid T. Lonseth, Professor Emeritus and former chair of the Mathematics Department at Oregon State University. Read more about Arvid Lonseth and the Lonseth Lecture series here.
Department of Mathematics Awards
The Department of Mathematics awards ceremony featured awards to undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty. Undergraduate and graduate awards are presented each year to students who demonstrate outstanding work and dedication, while graduate and faculty awards recognize excellence in teaching and research. The award recipients are listed below.
2017 Gary L. Musser Award
In recognition of outstanding mathematical achievement for a prospective elementary or middle school teacher
2017 Edward H. Stockwell Award for excellence in mathematics
For outstanding work in mathematics
2017 Harry and Molly Goheen Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding junior or senior majoring in mathematics or computer science who expresses the desire to work in the field of mathematics or computer science following graduation. Awarded in alternate years by the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science.
2017 WIC Award
For outstanding mathematical writing in a writing intensive course
2017 Botand Gabor Eross Math Memorial Scholarship
For outstanding work in mathematics
2017 Joel Davis Award for excellence in mathematics
For outstanding work in mathematics.
2017 Actuarial Science Award
For excellence in mathematics
2017 William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
OSU Top Scorers
2017 COMAP Mathematical Contest In Modeling
For participation in annual international competition
2017 William F. Burger Graduate Teaching Award
For outstanding mathematics teaching
2017 Graduate Student Achievement Award
For academic excellence in mathematics
2017 Graduate Student Excellence Award
For academic excellence in mathematics
2017 Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Qualifying Exams
For excellence in the Mathematics Qualifying Exams
2017 Graduate Student Honorable Mention in Coursework
For academic achievement in mathematics
2017 Graduate Student Faculty Award
For excellence in teaching and mentoring graduate students
Graduate Student Poster Competition
The following graduate students presented posters in the competition: