Fall 2014 Newsletter

CRAIG CHANDLER/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS CHANDLER/UNIVERSITY CRAIG Celebrating 2 th

Math5 Day

Department gears up for event on Nov. 20 | Story, Page 4 {

Fall 2014 {MMathath NNewsews A publication of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln VIEW FROM THE Lewis receives MAA CHAIR Gung and Hu Award im Lewis, Aaron Douglas the Gung and Hu Judy Walker JProfessor of Mathematics and Award. Having t is a gorgeous director of the Center for Science, the opportunity Ifall day here in Mathematics and Computer to contribute Lincoln: the leaves Education, is the 2015 recipient to mathematics are in brilliant yel- of the Gung and Hu Award by both at UNL and lows, oranges and the Mathematical Association of nationally has reds, and the sun is America (MAA), a professional greatly enriched shining. Shadows society that focuses on mathematics my career,” Lewis Jim Lewis are growing long, at the undergraduate level. Lewis said. and mornings are will receive the award at the 2015 Th e citation that accompanies quite brisk, but I Joint Math Meetings in San Antonio, the award recognizes Lewis for his am sitting outside in 77 degree weath- Texas, in January. outstanding contributions to the er as I write this. Th ose of you who Th e Yueh-Gin Gung mathematics education of teachers, haven’t been in downtown Lincoln for and Dr. Charles Y. Hu Award for his leadership in the mathematics a while would see some real changes. for Distinguished Service to profession and in academia at all Th e Historic Haymarket District Mathematics is the most prestigious levels, for his work increasing the visibility and participation of women has been expanded to the west – the award for service off ered by the in mathematics, for his exemplary railroad tracks have been moved to al- MAA. First presented in 1990, it

work serving the state of Nebraska, low this – and the new Pinnacle Bank consists of a cash prize of $5,000, a and especially for his vision and Arena is bringing a steady stream of citation, and the recognition of the

ability to bring together diverse See CHAIR on Page 14 American mathematical community. “It is a great honor to receive See LEWIS on Page 13 {

{ INSIDE:

RESEARCH NEWS: Meakin recaps DEPARTMENT NEWS: Degree for FACULTY NEWS: Sylvia Wiegand time in India on Fulbright Page 2 teachers off ers fl exibility Page 5 journals from Korea Page 10

www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 1 {RResearchesearch NewsNews PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS PDE group morphs as interests branch out he nature of Partial Diff erential TEquations (PDEs) makes them not only interesting mathematical objects

in their own right, but also causes COURTESY PHOTOS them to play important roles in many ABOVE: John Meakin (seated in the second row from the bottom, fl anked by K.S.S. branches of applied mathematics, sci- Nambooripad and A.R. Rajan) with faculty and graduate students at the University ence and engineering, such as con- of Kerala, January 2, 2014. (Inset on cover: Meakin presents a gift to His Highness tinuum mechanics, electromagnetism, Raman Rajamannan, the Tribal King of Kovilmala, at an International Conference quantum mechanics, relativity theory, on Algebra and Discrete Mathematics at Kattappana College, Kerala on March 5.) mathematical biology, control theory, fi nance and economics. When Steve Dunbar, Mohammad A Fulbright passage to India Rammaha and Richard Rebarber were hired in the 1980s and joined senior arly in his career as a mathemati- booripad, founded an internationally applied mathematics faculty members Ecian, John Meakin submitted a acclaimed school devoted to the theory David Logan and Tom Shores, it could paper on the structure of a class of of von Neumann regular semigroups be said the “modern era” of PDEs at algebraic objects known as inverse and their connections with other UNL had begun. In 1989, the group semigroups, hoping to have his re- areas of mathematics. Von Neumann expanded again with the additions of search published. Th e journal editor regular semigroups arise very naturally Steve Cohn and Glenn Ledder. Th eir was impressed, but ultimately, Meakin in mathematics, for example, when interests refl ect the eclectic character had been “blown out of the water,” as studying algebraic properties of matrix of the fi eld. Dunbar, Logan and Ledder he put it, by a brilliant mathematician multiplication, or more generally in the were primarily applied mathemati- in the southern state of Kerala in India. modern theory of operator algebras. cians, Shores a numerical analyst, Instead of starting over, Meakin Th e Kerala School of semigroup Rammaha and Cohn analysts, and reached out to this mathematician who theory that Nambooripad established Rebarber a control theorist. shared his research interests half a world is one of the acclaimed contemporary In 1994, Cohn gave the plenary away, and they embarked on a decades- research schools in this fi eld, world- address at the First International long, albeit sporadic, collaborative wide. It continues a rich tradition of Conference on Inverse and Improp- working relationship. In the fall semester outstanding contributions to mathe- erly-Posed Problems in Izmit, Turkey. of 2014, with support from a Fulbright- matics in Kerala, dating back at least to In 1997, Jennifer Mueller, a student Nehru teaching/research fellowship to the 14th century with original contri- of Shores, became the fi rst UNL India, Meakin was able to renew that butions of Mahavan and his followers, mathematics student to win an NSF collaborative working relationship. who developed infi nite series expan- postdoctoral fellowship. Also in 1997, “I’ve had a long-standing connec- sions for trigonometric functions for the second edition of David Logan’s tion with people in that region,” Mea- example, predating some of the work Applied Mathematics was issued; this kin said. “I spent one year there early of Gregory, Newton and Leibnitz some book, now in its fourth edition, is one in my career engaged in collaborative three centuries later. of eight that Logan has authored or research, so professionally, it made a Meakin was based in Trivandrum, co-authored during his career. To this lot of sense to go there. It is a place of the capital of Kerala, during his fi ve- particular research interest to me.” See PDE on Page 3 His Indian colleague, K.S.S. Nam- See INDIA on Page 3

2 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends RResearchesearch NewsNews {

INDIA From Page 2 Hartke spends three months in Hungary on Fulbright month visit to India. He conducted Stephen Hartke was a Fulbright Scholar at the Alfréd Rényi joint research with Nambooripad and Institute of Mathematics, in Budapest, Hungary, for three others in the Kerala School, taught a months last year. The Rényi Institute is the mathematics institute graduate course in semigroup theory, of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and is one of the pre- organized workshops and mini-cours- eminent places in the world for research in discrete mathematics. es for students in Kochi and Kol- While there, Hartke collaborated with several groups of people kata, co-organized two international on ongoing research projects. His graduate student James research conferences, and gave invited Carraher also visited the Rényi Institute for about a week. lectures at several other conferences, research centers and universities all parts of India. India is a riot for Meakin is preparing an article around India during his visit. the senses in all ways, with a rich and about the Kerala School of semigroups “It was an intense, fascinating and ancient culture, a diverse and dynamic and is in the early stages of writing a enriching experience,” Meakin said. “I society. It is hard to assess what impact research level book about regular and had the opportunity to interact with a visit like this can have, but I felt that many established mathematicians my interactions with students and fac- inverse semigroups, informed in part and a large number of students from ulty members were incredibly positive.” by his experiences in Kerala.

numerical analysis. He is particularly A few years aft er the arrival of PDE From Page 2 interested in coupled systems – those Radu and Foss, Daniel Toundykov day, his monograph Applied Partial comprised of two or more disparate repeated Radu’s feat: he came as a post- Diff erential Equations is successfully dynamics, such as thermo-elastic doc and stayed as an assistant profes- used as the text for the introductory phenomena, or interaction of thin sor. Daniel’s specialty is in the control undergraduate PDE course at UNL. chamber walls with acoustic pressure of PDEs with emphasis on nonlinear By the late ’90s, the diversity or fl uid fl ow within. Avalos has since models describing mechanical vibra- of their interests tended to pull the supervised three Ph.D. theses, and his tions and acoustics. His recent work group apart and the label “PDE group” work has been supported by seven also provides analytic results concern- had become a misnomer. Dunbar, NSF grants since 1997. ing electromagnetic fi elds and certain Cohn, Logan, Shores and Ledder Th e arrival of Avalos more clearly models of hydrodynamics. Daniel’s pursued their interest in mathematical defi ned a group who were interested research has been supported by two modeling. Rebarber continued primarily in PDEs and analysis. In grants from the NSF (one of them joint working in control theory for PDEs 2004, Petronela Radu came to UNL as a with Avalos) and was recognized by the and subsequently branched out into postdoc, and then became an assistant UNL Edgerton Junior Faculty Award. mathematical biology, though he still professor in fall of 2005. In her work, With Shores’ retirement in 2010, occasionally produces papers on control Radu resolved some open problems the department lost its sole full-time of distributed-parameter systems. concerning solvability of nonlinear numerical expert. In 2014, aft er an ex- Rammaha kept the PDE semi- wave equations (see more on Radu on tensive search directed by Avalos, the nar going and advised the graduate page 11). Th e hiring of Radu brought department hired Adam Larios (see students who were interested in the the additional benefi t of her husband, page 12). As a graduate student, Larios analysis and diff erential equations. Mikil Foss, to the department. Foss worked as a researcher at Los Alamos Rammaha’s work delves into qualitative provided the much-needed expertise to National Lab, and collaborated with analysis of solutions of so-called “hy- the PDE group in the hitherto unrep- its Climate Ocean Sea-Ice Modeling perbolic” PDEs, which describe wave resented areas of calculus of variations group and the Computer, Computa- propagation phenomena, in particular and elliptic PDEs, which address many tional, and Statistical Sciences group. acoustic waves, as well as some aspects important questions in continuum me- Larios investigates problems in fl uid of elastodynamics and thin plate chanics. A few years ago, Foss and Radu dynamics, turbulence, geophysics, theory. Rammaha has supervised six became interested in the new and rap- phase-fi eld dynamics, and fl uid-struc- Ph.D. students who are now on either idly developing theory of peridynamics, ture interaction. tenured or tenure-track positions at which deals with non-local models that Presently the PDE group exchang- various universities, except for the two account for “long-distance” interac- es ideas and explores new topics in the most recent graduates who presently tions between particles within a body. PDE & Applied Analysis seminar led hold postdoctoral fellowships. Among its many applications, nonlo- by Cohn. Larios kicked off the PDE In 2000, most of the applied group cal theory has been successfully used seminar this fall with a series of lec- migrated to mathematical biology and to mathematically describe dynamic tures on the Navier-Stokes equations, the department hired George Avalos. fractures. Now, several of their graduate which are the subject of a “Million Avalos specializes in the mathemati- students are working on various ques- Dollar Millennium Prize” from the cal control theory of partial diff er- tions pertaining to nonlocal models in Clay Mathematics Institute. ential equations and some aspects of diff usion and wave propagation. – Steve Cohn and Daniel Toundykov www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 3 {DDepartmentepartment NNewsews Math Day reaches 25th event ver the past 24 years, more than amazement, things pretty much went continued to oversee Math Day until O20,000 students have participated right on schedule. But, the math de- 2013, when the staff in the Center for in UNL Math Day, and another 1,600 partment has always been very precise Science, Mathematics and Computer are registered for the 25th Math Day when it comes to schedules and doing Education took over logistics to allow on Nov. 20, 2014. things that are benefi cial to students.” Mueller more time as an advisor. Hosted by the UNL Department Th is foundation for success was Chivukula retired in 1999 and of Mathematics, Math Day is a highly set by Emeriti Professors Gordon then Woodward retired in 2013, competitive event that recognizes high Woodward and Rao Chivukula. Back handing the leadership reins to faculty school students who are interested in in 1989, Jim Lewis, who was then chair member Jamie Radcliff e. mathematics. of the department, asked Woodward Over the years, Mueller has en- About 100 and Chivukula to go to the Math Day joyed seeing former UNL math majors schools hosted at Colorado State University become Math Day coaches, such as from across and observe the event. Aft er seeing Cockerill and Shelby Aaberg, who is Nebraska fi rsthand the excitement at CSU, they now at Scottsbluff High School. attend each agreed with Lewis that Math Day “My fi rst experience with Math year, bring- would be a wonderful event for UNL Day was as a timer in 2000 during ing anywhere and agreed to be the co-directors. my freshman year as an undergrad. I from three In its fi rst year in 1990, there were thought it was exciting to see the energy students to the 150 562 students and 68 high schools. and excitement students brought with students who will represent Lincoln Th e winner of the fi rst Math Day was them. Just four years later, my West- Southeast in 2014. Eric Smith, a senior at Westside High side students won the 2004 Class A “Math Day is a unique experi- School in Omaha who is now a faculty Math Bowl competition,” said Aaberg, ence for both the competitors and member in mathematics at Southeast who since 2011 has brought 45 to 50 the coaches,” said Bill Rogge, a UNL Community College. Jaclyn Kohles students from Scottsbluff . “Driving 400 lecturer in mathematics who was once from Ralston was the fi rst female miles is a chore, but UNL Math Day is the Math Day coach at Lincoln North- student to win Math Day in 1996. As worth the trip year aft er year.” east and brought teams from 1990 to an undergraduate at UNL she won an Math Day consists of both indi- 2007. “As a coach, I relished the hours award as the outstanding female math vidual and team competitions. All stu- of practice our students put in to be major in the U.S. She went on to earn dents participate in a multiple-choice, competitive. Now I have the privilege a Ph.D. in mathematics at Wisconsin. preliminary exam called PROBE I of being a moderator for the Math Th e 2013 winner was Ingrid Zhang, (Problems Requiring Original and Bowl. I love seeing and feeling the ten- now a senior at Lincoln East. Brilliant Eff ort). Now the top 40 stu- sion that each question brings. I look With the help of graduate students dents then move on to take the famous forward to each and every Math Day.” through 1996, Woodward and Chi- essay exam PROBE II. Th e PROBE Th e overall schedule for Math Day vukula organized Math Day until the top 10 Nebraska high school students has remained the same since it began, department hired Lori Mueller. (sum of PROBE I and II) are awarded with an opening ceremony, then the “I started the job a few days before a total of $34,000 in four-year scholar- PROBE I exam, the start of the Math Math Day was held, in 1996,” Mueller ships to UNL. One hundred teams also Bowl before lunch, PROBE II and said. “In 1997, my fi rst year in charge, compete in the Math Bowl, a double- department displays aft er lunch, and the Union was being renovated so the elimination tournament pitting three- the rest of the bowl team rounds in students were split between Kimball member teams against one another. the aft ernoon. Now, it also takes more Hall and Schulte Fieldhouse. Th e stu- “I think the problems in PROBE I than 250 volunteers to keep the events dents had to leave the buildings aft er are great problems that seem very ac- of Math Day running. the opening ceremony, walk around cessible to the students but yet require “When I was working for the the Union and come back while we them to think beyond the obvious,” said university, I was just trying to fi gure laid out the PROBE exams. It was Lincoln East Math Day coach Leona out how they could possibly bring in mayhem.” Penner, who for 15 years has brought this many kids and have a Math Day In Mueller’s fi rst year, she worked around 50 students to compete. run smoothly,” said John Cockerill, a hard to recruit more participants in Volunteers are still needed for this former math major and the Math Day Math Day, attracting 1,167 students year. Alumni interested in coming to coach for Sterling High School. “To my and 94 schools in 1997. Mueller help should contact [email protected].

4 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends DDepartmentepartment NNewsews {

LINDSAY AUGUSTYN/UNL CSMCE ABOVE: Jared Vitosh (right) helps a student in algebra class at Norris High School. Vitosh earned his MAT degree in August 2012. BELOW: Jared’s brother Jason Vitosh (center), a teacher at Falls City High School, teaches Math 806T in the summer of 2013 to a group of teachers on their way to earning their MAT degrees. Jason Vitosh earned his MAT degree in 2006. MAT evolves to meet needs week or two Math teacher brothers half-day witness development courses over two weeks. of graduate program “I was much more NL graduates Jared and Jason connected to Vitosh both teach high school U other students mathematics in Nebraska. Both hold and professors a Master of Arts for Teachers from the than Jason,” UNL Department of Mathematics. said Jared, Th e two brothers from Odell, Ne- a teacher at braska, took Math 809: Mathematical Norris High Modeling for teachers together. Both School. “He agreed that their favorite course has four summers to take classes dur- kind of helped been Math 806T: Number Th eory and ing the regular summer sessions,” pioneer the program, but that meant Cryptology. However, the comparisons the teacher at Falls City High School he took a lot of graduate classes when stop there. explained. there were not many others taking the Th eir journeys to earning their Jared, on the other hand, com- same courses.” graduate degree took diverse paths. pleted his degree in 2012 and was As part of its commitment to be- Jason earned his MAT degree from privy to taking courses that empha- ing a leader with respect to the math- the mathematics department, back in sized “mathematical knowledge for ematical education of teachers, the 2006, driving “to campus fi ve days a teaching” in their current summer department off ers courses that lead to week for 10 weeks each summer for format – one course for 40 hours a See MAT on Page 6 www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 5 DDepartmentepartment NNewsews

one topic 24/7. I devoured the content MAT From Page 5 MAT Courses and read about a dozen supplemental the MAT to any certifi ed mathematics The Department has created 17 graduate texts that week,” Jason said. “I was courses for math teachers; the following {teacher who wants to earn a content- extremely honored to be asked to teach list highlights 10 of them: rich master’s degree. First developed the same course two summers ago on with the support of an NSF grant in Courses for Middle Level Teachers campus. I was able to reconnect with the 1960s, the MAT now off ers two MATH 800T - Mathematics as a Second the content in a diff erent way as the Language tracks, one for secondary mathemat- instructor and share my excitement for MATH 802T - Functions, Algebra & ics teachers and one for middle level Geometry the subject with my peers in the class.” teachers that off ers a specialization in MATH 804T - Experimentation, Conjecture Currently, three years aft er the the teaching of middle level math- & Reasoning NSF Math in the Middle grant ended, ematics. Courses for Middle Level and 68 Nebraska math teachers are actively With the support of several NSF High School Teachers pursuing their MAT degree and be- grants over the course of the past MATH 805T - Discrete Mathematics cause of recent partnerships with the decade, faculty in mathematics have MATH 806T - Number Theory & OPS and LPS school districts, between developed 17 mathematics courses for Cryptology for Teachers 27 and 60 additional teachers are MATH 807T - Using Mathematics to K-12 math teachers that stress the de- expected to apply to the MAT graduate velopment of mathematical knowledge Understand our World Courses for High School Teachers program over the next year. for teaching. Th e Department also MATH 810T - Algebra for Algebra A more recent initiative is to off er partners with the Teaching, Learning Teachers these courses online for teachers both and Teacher Education and Statistics MATH 811T - Functions for High School in Nebraska and across the country. In departments to aid them in develop- Teachers partnership with Nebraska Online, the ment and off ering of courses for K-12 MATH 812T - Geometry for Geometry mathematics department is commit- teachers working on master’s degrees. Teachers ted to off ering online coursework for MATH 809 - Mathematical Modeling Th e NSF Math Science Partner- mathematics teachers that would en- ship Institute grant, Math in the able a teacher to earn the MAT degree lowing teachers to be able to continue Middle, resulted in 115 Nebraska completely through online coursework. teachers earning the MAT degree to take math and pedagogy courses While the online program is too new to between 2006 and 2011. As part of the each summer and to pursue the MAT have a graduate yet, it is worth noting institutionalization of the Math in the degree. Over the past two years, 27 that a discrete mathematics class for Middle grant, the Center for Science, teachers have earned the MAT degree. teachers off ered in Spring 2014 attract- Mathematics and Computer Educa- “I encouraged Jared to begin ed 25 teachers, and 29 total teachers are tion (CSMCE) developed the Nebraska his MAT as soon as he could make taking two online courses in Fall 2014, Math and Science Summer Institutes it work,” Jason Vitosh said, who is so the demand exists. (NMSSI) program to continue to off er also a Noyce Master Teaching Fellow Since 2005, 17 faculty members in the courses from Math in the Middle through the CSMCE. “Th e session for- the Department of Mathematics have to more teachers. mat had changed To further support “I loved the intense focus to short one- or taught a mathematics course for teach- the program, the two-week courses ers organized by the CSMCE, and 61 university off ers that came from doing with all-day in- mathematics graduate students have Nebraska teach- nothing but studying one struction. He also been part of an instructional team for ers a 20 percent was able to get in one of these courses (by the end of tuition discount topic 24/7.” on some of the Summer 2014). Jim Lewis, as director of the on NMSSI courses – Jason Vitosh new programs like taught in-person. the New Teacher CSMCE and PI of the aforementioned “Th e way the Network from grants, has had a prime role in the courses are developed specifi cally for the NebraskaMATH grant. I missed department’s education eff orts. For teachers and with teachers for their out on making connections with peers details on the MAT program contact own growth and improvement as like Jared did, but through the Noyce Dr. Wendy Smith, [email protected], classroom educators makes the entire fellowship now, I have been able to see or to see a list of the teachers who have experience useful to your career,” Jason how powerful and helpful those con- graduated with a MAT since 2010, Vitosh said. “Aft er I fi nished my degree, nections can be.” visit: http://scimath.unl.edu/csmce/ I felt like I had the permission and the Th e Vitosh brothers, whose father mat_ma_degrees.php. right to consider myself a knowledge- also was a math teacher, enjoyed the Jason’s advice for teachers who are able and experienced expert in my connections to tangible, real-world ap- interested in earning a MAT is simple. fi eld. I was confi dent that I was doing plications in Math 806T, their favorite “Do it now,” he said. “Don’t wait the right things in my classroom, for course. It was also the only course Ja- another year; get started. Take one the right reasons and for my students.” son got to take in the one-week format. class, then take another. Make it work. Th e subsequent NSF grant, Ne- “I loved the intense focus that It will change you and your teaching braskaMATH, aided the NMSSI in al- came from doing nothing but studying forever.”

6 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends DDepartmentepartment NNewsews { Renovations aid learning Math Resource Center, Brace Lab bring more student collaboration enovations in two City Campus Rbuildings have improved the delivery method for mathematics instruction. An $8 million renovation has converted UNL’s 107-year-old Brace Laboratory into a facility dedicated to using innovative teaching methods to further undergraduate education and a small renovation to the Math Resource Center in Avery Hall has enlarged LINDSAY AUGUSTYN/UNL CSMCE the amount of functional space for Students study in the newly renovated Math Resource Center. helping students with their study of for students needing mathematics mathematics. assistance from the counselors, the Initial users of the renovated Department of Mathematics’ Math space in Brace include mathematics, Resource Center was renovated in May biological and life sciences, and and June of this year. Th e two small business administration. Much of the conference rooms inside the MRC project has been focused on providing were removed to transform the room collaborative learning spaces to into one large space. undergraduates. While lecture courses “I wanted to make it a warm remain useful, research in the last 20 to and inviting atmosphere,” said Lori 30 years has shown that in many cases, Mueller, academic advisor and MRC students benefi t from a more active supervisor, who chose paint colors and collaborative approach, said Lance C. Pérez, associate vice chancellor for that included an accent wall with the academic aff airs. signature Husker red and the rest of Th e updated building, originally the room as a warm tan shade. “A lot used for physics instruction, now of students that struggle with math possesses four life sciences laboratories fi rst have to battle trying to admit they and support space; a 186-seat need more help. Our counselors make auditorium; four classrooms dedicated them feel comfortable and help calm to active and collaborative instruction; their anxieties. To me, warm colors a Technology Transforming Teaching completely updating how they teach also calm the nerves.” (T3) classroom where instructors can many of their 100-level courses,” Amy Goodburn, associate vice use and evaluate cutting-edge teaching Pérez said. “Th e focus will be on small chancellor for academic aff airs, technologies from furniture to groups working together.” appreciates the eff ort made by advanced computerized devices; and Th e life sciences labs in Brace mathematics to provide better service offi ce space that will allow Information include three modern “wet” labs and a to new students. Technology Services employees to space designed for virtual instruction. “Studies show that success in provide classroom and learning Th e four lab spaces are designed to be fi rst-year math courses is critical support. similar to recent updates to chemistry to college students’ retention and Th e collaborative classrooms for labs in Hamilton Hall, with “islands” degree completion rates,” Goodburn mathematics each seat 42 students, that allow students to face one said. “Th e Math Resource Center is with the furniture set up to seat seven another for group work. Th e College a vital partner in supporting UNL groups of six. Th e space also includes of Business Administration will be students’ academic success. With this multiple white boards to promote a primary user of the redesigned renovation, we hope that even more interactive learning and group 186-seat auditorium. A portion of the students will take advantage of this discussions. funding for Brace was provided by the free and important service.” “Mathematics has invested in Nebraska Legislature. - Troy Fedderson, University professional development and is In an eff ort to fi nd more space Communications, and Lindsay Augustyn www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 7 DDepartmentepartment NNewsews Student success key to task force { nder Judy Walker’s leadership as Uchair, the department is engaged in its most signifi cant initiative to in- crease student success in pre-calculus courses in more than 40 years. Key strategies included changing to an instructional format that emphasizes active learning and providing our graduate students with the pedagogical preparation and support needed to be successful teachers of mathematics. Alumni who were graduate teach- ing assistants at UNL recognize the challenge faced by the department as it works to improve student suc- cess in Math 100A, 101, 102, and 103. Most students in these courses have had modest success in previous math classes. Oft en they are not motivated LINDSAY AUGUSTYN/UNL CSMCE to do the hard work necessary to be Mathematics graduate student Jessalyn Bolkema (right) teaches a section of Math 101: College Algebra in a renovated classroom in Brace Laboratory in October 2014. successful in a college math class that moves at a rapid pace. Many dislike with the department’s instructional the calculus and pre-calculus levels. math, believe that they cannot learn approach and a major eff ort was made A grant from the Helmsley Trust has math, and do not believe that learning to revise the lesson plans in ways that enabled the department to increase the math is important to their future. provided GTAs with guidance for initiative’s research eff ort and funded As a consequence, our student suc- active learning and group work in (together with funds from the Math- cess (i.e. the percent earning a grade of class. A substantial Student Guide and ematical Associative of America) a C or better) in these courses is oft en in Instructor Guide was created for Math “learning assistants” initiative. the 62 percent to 67 percent range and 100A, 101 and 103. In addition, the Not content to declare victory occasionally lower. Th e department’s department decided to use the soft - and move on to other issues, Walker’s goal is to improve student success to at ware WeBWorK to enable a mastery leadership and the support the depart- least 75 percent and to improve student approach to homework that provides ment has received from UNL’s admin- success in subsequent courses. students with immediate feedback istration has resulted in fi ve major Th e department’s initiative, and to incorporate Team Quizzes, changes that position the department Transforming Instruction to Increase assignments that students complete for even greater success and that make Student Success, is led by Vice Chair in groups outside of class. Similar it a leader among mathematics depart- Allan Donsig and advised by a new changes were phased in for Math 102 ments nationwide with respect to em- faculty committee, the First-Year phasizing active learning in freshmen Mathematics Task Force. Wendy in Spring 2014. Th ese changes, together with a mathematics classes. Smith, a faculty member in the Center • Th e department received ap- for Science, Mathematics and Com- revised professional development workshop for GTAs the week before proval for a new position, the Director puter Education, is leading a research of First-Year Mathematics. Aft er a suc- project to study the department’s class starts in the fall, appear to have led to marked improvement in student cessful search, Nathan Wakefi eld was changes in instruction and to provide hired to fi ll this position. formative evaluation that can inform success. In Fall 2013, student suc- cess in Math 103 was 76 percent and • UNL remodeled four class- and improve the initiative. rooms in Brace Lab for active learning exceeded 80 percent in Math 101. For Fall 2012, the department and has permitted the department Th e Department also has become developed common lesson plans for exclusive use of the four classrooms. involved in the Association of Public two courses (100A and 101), and ap- • Th e department received ap- and Land-grant Universities’ Mathe- pointed experienced GTAs to serve proval to break with the paradigm that matics Teacher Education Partnership. as associate conveners for those two “lecture courses” should meet for 50 As part of that partnership, faculty courses. Common exams were given minutes per credit hour. Th is fall the from the department are part of a in the evening and the First-Year Task 3-credit Math 101 class meets 225 min- fi ve-campus “networked improvement Force provided input as to the quality utes each week and the 5-credit Math community” that is studying active of the exams and their grading. 103 class meets 300 minutes per week. For the following fall, a new learning approaches to improving textbook was chosen that was aligned mathematics teaching and learning at See TASK FORCE on Page 9

8 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends DDepartmentepartment NNewsews { Pixar animator gives behind scenes talk ony DeRose, a Senior Scientist and Tthe lead of the Research Group at Pixar Animation Studios, gave the 18th Annual Rowlee Lecture at UNL on April 1, 2014. Using numerous examples drawn from Pixar’s feature fi lms, he off ered a behind the scenes look at the process of transforming a director’s vision into an animated story. He also discussed the advances LINDSAY AUGUSTYN/UNL CSMCE in mathematics and computer Tony DeRose of Pixar Animation Studios gives the Rowlee lecture on April 1, 2014. science that revolutionized the world of computer animation making it won the Academy Award for Best times, off the surrounding surfaces. possible to create the visuals we see on Animated Short Film in 1998. In 2005, Traditionally, for this purpose complex screen today. Catmull together with Tony DeRose animated environments contained One such formative development and Jos Stam received an Academy hundreds of artifi cial light sources to was subdivision surfaces, which Award for Technical Achievement mimic the refl ected rays. Precise ray- provide a way of dynamically for their invention and application tracing had only limited applications calculating the shape of a smooth of subdivision surfaces in computer in mainstream computer animation. object from a coarser mesh through animation. Pixar researchers developed algorithms a recursive process of subdividing A more recent one among Pixar’s to effi ciently incorporate dynamic each face into smaller components. contributions is an effi cient framework refl ected lighting into their movie Th e subdivision algorithm was for simulating global illumination. creation process. Monsters University pioneered by Edwin Catmull (current In real life, the light intensity at each (2013) became the fi rst animated full- president of Pixar Animation Studios) point may be signifi cantly aff ected length feature fi lm to employ global and Jim Clark. It was used in Pixar by indirect sources through the illumination throughout. Animated Short “Geri’s Game” that rays refl ected, possibly multiple – Daniel Toundykov

to teach and will lead to the level of paper was to discuss radical construc- TASK FORCE From Page 8 student success the department seeks. tivism and how a radical constructivist • GTA appointments were modi- “I’m very optimistic,” said would describe their class.” fi ed so that the fi rst year that each GTA Wakefi eld, the Director of First-Year Wakefi eld said while he tries to teaches their own class they teach only Mathematics (see page 12). “It is inter- observe as many courses as he can, he one 3-credit course per semester (a esting to see how much the perspective has at least three or four GTAs coming one course reduction) to give them of the graduate teaching assistants has to his offi ce daily to discuss issues in the time to take a 3-credit pedagogy changed in just eight weeks, in the their classes or how to take things that course to learn to teach mathematics way that they are thinking about how are working well to the next level. without cutting into the time the GTA students are learning. Th ey are think- “My perspective is that to make has for their own coursework. ing about how to help students develop the biggest change in these courses, • Learning assistants – bright knowledge on their own. Th e conver- I have to work with the teachers,” he undergraduates who work under the sations are student-centered. said. “Th at’s my passion. If I can de- direction of the GTA – were hired for “We also added a pedagogy course velop the GTAs as good teachers, then almost all sections of Math 101 and for the second-year GTAs called Teach- the rest is going to fall into place.” 103. Th e learning assistants attend ing and Learning at the Post-Secondary Stay tuned. We hope that two all class meetings and support active Level,” Wakefi eld added. “In my mind, years into the future we can report that learning in the classroom. it’s a vocabulary course. Th ey are read- students in pre-calculus courses are While it is too early to under- ing some of the relevant education regularly achieving at a higher level stand the combined impact of these literature, learning what diff erent terms and thus the department is making a changes, both Walker and Wakefi eld mean and then taking those concepts major contribution to UNL’s eff orts to believe that these changes will lead and trying to apply them to what they improve freshmen-sophomore reten- to a sustainable model for how UNL are doing in their classrooms through tion and eventually UNL’s six-year mathematics graduate students learn various essays and projects. Th e fi rst graduation rate. www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 9 {FFacultyaculty NewsNews Later that evening, there was an Sylv ia’s inspiring lecture by James Simons on his life, including how he solved famous problems in diff erential Journal geometry, how he made all his money and why he is giving money to support Editor’s note: Th is journal from Sylvia mathematics and mathematicians. Wiegand, professor emerita, is adapted Among many other wonderful slightly from an email message she sent in ICM talks I heard were those by Janos August 2014 from Seoul, Korea, where she Kollar (“Th e structure of algebraic was attending the International Congress of varieties”), Manjul Bhargava on “An- Mathematicians (ICM). Th e International COURTESY PHOTO Mathematics Union (IMU) holds an ICM (From left ) Sylvia Wiegand with swers on a donut” [Th ere is a very clear every four years. Th is year the 27th Congress Maryam Mirzakhani, the fi rst female discussion of this talk at http://plus. was the fi rst time that the meeting was held Fields medalist, Maryam’s daughter, and maths.org/content/very-old-question- in conjunction with an International Con- Aihua Li at the ICM Prize reception on very-latest-maths-fi elds-medal-lecture- gress of Women Mathematicians (ICWM). August 13, 2014, in Seoul, Korea. manjul-bhargava], and John Milnor – he won the Abel prize in 2011 and so Dear Colleagues, by “Th ree women”: Ingrid Daubechies, he gave the Abel lecture on “Topology In case you are interested in the the fi rst female president of the IMU through Four Centuries.” goings-on here in Seoul, I’m sending (shown in cover photo); Park Geun- Th e ICWM has attendees from 52 you this short report. Hye, the fi rst female president of Korea; countries. A panel discussion featured John and Glory Meakin and I have and Maryam Mirzakhani, the fi rst special issues for women in mathemat- been enjoying Seoul where both the female Fields winner. ics in diff erent countries. One of the ICM and the ICWM have been taking In the context of ICM2014, points made by the African women place. I haven’t seen other depart- Ingrid was promoting an auction of was that they have the additional bur- ment members, although I’m sharing beautiful mathematical art objects at dens of poverty and the mistreatment lodging with Aihua Li, Montclair State http://www.donauction.org. Th e IMU of women in many African countries University, and UNL Ph.D. 1994, my is focusing its charitable eff orts on – women are discouraged from even fi rst Ph.D. student. providing assistance and encourage- attending school, even physically pre- In particular, the opening ceremo- ment to mathematicians in develop- vented from doing so and kidnapped ny on the morning of August 13 with ing countries. Th e money collected if they try. the announcements of the Fields med- through this auction will go to the fi rst Th ere were terrifi c lectures by alists and the Nevanlinna prize winner year of the program called “Adopt a well-known women mathematicians was part of an exciting upbeat day at Mathematics Graduate Student,” which who generally took care to make clear the ICM. Ingrid Daubechies of Duke will help young, talented students from and appealing talks; in particular Hee University presided over the prize developing countries to get access to Oh, who is originally from Korea and ceremony, and the president of Korea an assistantship in another developing is the fi rst tenured woman at Yale Uni- spoke to the whole ICM gathering and country. Th is auction is an initiative of versity, gave a fantastic talk on “Circle emphasized the value of mathemat- the International Mathematical Union. packing.” She has helped to establish ics and mathematicians in the world. (Th e online auction ended August 20.) famous conjectures related to this Th ere was a LOT of applause about Th ere were talks about the Fields subject, including one posed by Peter the selection of Maryam Mirzakhani, medalists that aft ernoon, and, in the Sarnak. a professor of mathematics at Stanford evening, the Meakins, Aihua and I Aihua’s poster on a math biol- University. Also Manjul Bhargava of went to a fancy celebration for the ogy project done with undergradu- Princeton University, whom I had met prize winners. We got to talk to Manjul ates at Montclair State University was in Luminy many years ago, was chosen and Maryam and Ingrid, and Aihua among the 20 “best posters” (out of 97) for a Fields medal. He was the fi rst and I were in pictures with them. selected by the ICWM committee to Fields winner of Indian descent. Th e Manjul is not only a great math- receive a special certifi cate and prize. other Fields winners were Artur Avila ematician but he has been working on In all, there were 5,193 partici- (fi rst winner from Brazil) and Martin encouraging students to be math majors pants from 122 countries at the ICM. Hairer of the University of Warwick in at Princeton. When our daughter, An- I would guess there were at least 250 England. drea, graduated in 2003, there were only participants at the ICWM, and at least Apparently, the Korean press ar- four or fi ve math majors and only one of 50 countries represented. ticle on the opening ceremony empha- them was a woman, but Manjul said that Best wishes to all, sized the domination of the ceremony now there are 60 female math majors. Sylvia

10 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends FFacultyaculty NNewsews { Walker receives university-wide honor ometimes it’s hard to fi nd beauty in things” he accomplished during his ing methods that helped both students Severyday life. Not for Judy Walker. tenure as chair of the department of and the faculty be more successful in “Mathematics really is beautiful,” mathematics. the classroom. she said. “Helping students look at Walker has written courses, Walker said the reason she has mathematics beyond just a set of rules mentored graduate students and, by accomplished so much at UNL is that and procedures and see it instead as developing the Nebraska Conference she loves math and she loves sharing truth and as beauty is what I enjoy for Undergraduate Women, has helped that with her students. doing.” thousands of undergraduate women “Th e best thing about teaching Walker, chair and Aaron Doug- succeed in mathematical careers. math is watching students learn to rec- las Professor of Mathematics, dem- “We believe that over time, the ognize beauty in math and get excited onstrates this enjoyment with her conference will merit part of the credit by it,” Walker said. “It’s really fun when students every day. It’s earned her the for helping change the gender distribu- you see them have that ‘Aha’ moment. University of Nebraska systemwide tion in our profession,” Lewis wrote. Th ere’s nothing that compares to it.” Outstanding Teaching and Instruc- Th e conference already has earned As department chair, she’s contin- tional Creativity Award. national acclaim, consistently earning ued developing new curriculum, men- Th e award recognizes individual funding from the National Science tored graduate students and elevated faculty members who have demon- Foundation and earning the Programs the stature of the department. strated meritorious and sustained Th at Make a Diff erence award in 2013 “She is a visionary leader and records of excellence and creativity in from the American Mathematical contributes enormously to our reputa- teaching. Society. tion among math departments across Fellow Aaron Douglas Professor On campus, Walker has made America,” Lewis said. “She’s remark- Jim Lewis nominated Walker. Lewis signifi cant strides in improving gen- ably creative and a superb research hired Walker in 1996 and said in his eral education mathematics courses. scholar.” nomination letter that “hiring Judy is Walker took the lead in reviewing the – Deann Gayman, University easily one of the fi ve most important courses and worked to develop teach- Communications

AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS instructional devel- is truly deserving of this award,” said opment committee, Steve Goddard, former interim dean Associate honors exemplary of the college and now associate vice professors Mark teaching and car- chancellor of research. Brittenham and ries a $6,000 sti- Mark Walker, professor of Petronela Radu pend. Radu joined mathematics, was named to a were awarded the UNL faculty in Willa Cather the College of 2004 as a research Professorship. Arts and Sciences assistant profes- Petronela Radu The Willa Cather/ Outstanding sor. She received Charles Bessey Teaching tenure in 2012. Her research interests professorship Mark Brittenham Award. College focus on partial diff erential equations, honors a full Distinguished Teaching Awards are continuum mechanics, peridynamics professor with an $1,000 awards in recognition of and calculus of variations. She was a exceptional record consistent excellence in teaching. Fulbright winner in 2013 and is the of distinguished principal investigator on a National Mark Walker Glenn Ledder has scholarship or Science Foundation research grant that been promoted to creative activity. Walker joined UNL is allowing her to lead the “Math in the full professor in in 1996. He is an internationally City” course. Radu designed “Math in the department of recognized leader in research in mathematics. the City” as an interdisciplinary course algebraic K-theory and is making that promotes hands-on learning expe- signifi cant contributions to the Petronela Radu, riences through the use of mathemati- fi elds of algebraic geometry and associate professor cal modeling to understand current commutative algebra. In addition of mathematics, societal issues. The course is run to his research, he is a winner of also was awarded Glenn Ledder through collaborations with local busi- a College of Arts and Sciences the Hazel R. McCly- nesses, research center and govern- Distinguished Teaching Award and mont Distinguished Teaching Fellow ment organizations. “Dr. Radu’s record has had a major impact on the Award in April 2014. The McClymont of teaching and dedication to educat- graduate program through his service Award, which is chosen by the faculty ing our students is impressive and she as graduate recruiting chair.

www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 11 FFacultyaculty NNewsews NEW FACULTY California, Irvine. Previously, Larios Wakefi eld was was a visiting assistant professor born and raised Adam (postdoc) in the math department in Colorado. He { at Texas A&M University. He is earned a bach- Larios interested in partial diff erential elor’s degree in aviation from the Assistant equations, mathematical analysis, and State College of Professor Adam numerical analysis. His work focuses Denver, his mas- Larios, originally on mathematical fl uid dynamics. ter’s degree from At Texas A&M, he worked with the from Seattle, the University Washington, numerical analysis group. He also of Northern Colorado in mathemat- earned his collaborates with a team at the Los ics education and his Ph.D. from the bachelor’s and Alamos National Lab (see page 3). University of Colorado in mathemat- master’s degrees from Western ics. His research area is arithmetic Washington University and his Ph.D. Nathan Wakefi eld dynamics and post-secondary teaching in Mathematics at the University of Assistant Professor of Practice Nathan and learning (see page 9).

NEW POSTDOCTORAL FACULTY

Timothy Andrew Thanh Vu Susse Uzzell Postdoctoral Timothy Prior to his Th anh Vu was Susse joins the postdoctoral born and raised in department from appointment at Hanam, Vietnam. Th e Graduate UNL, Andrew He earned a Center, CUNY. Uzzell had been bachelor’s degree He grew up in a postdoctoral in mathematics Oceanside, N.Y. researcher at Up- with highest Susse earned his bachelor’s degree psala University in Sweden since 2012. honors from the Hanoi University of from Vassar College in 2008, majoring Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Sciences, Vietnam, in 2008, and his in mathematics and minoring in Uzzell earned his bachelor’s degree Ph.D. in mathematics in 2014 from the physics and music composition. in mathematics from Yale University He earned his Ph.D. in 2014 from and his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley City University of New York in University of Memphis in 2012. His re- under advisor David Eisenbud. He is Mathematics. His research interests search interests lie in probabilistic and working in commutative algebra and are geometric group theory and low- extremal questions in graph theory algebraic geometry. dimensional topology. and combinatorics.

RETIREMENT National Laboratory and Lawrence of the opportunity to work with him. Livermore National Laboratory and He has had joint publications with David Logan held a visiting position at Rensselaer four faculty in our department and retired as Willa Polytechnic Institute. He is the also one faculty member in geology Cather Professor author of seven mathematics books, and two in biological sciences. He of Mathematics including the highly infl uential Applied has mentored six Ph.D. students in at the end of Mathematics: A Contemporary our department (Edwin Woerner, Approach, originally published in the 2013-14 Michelle Homp, Rikki Wagstrom, 1987 and currently in its fourth academic year. William Wolesensky, Amy Parrott edition. His 86 research papers are David earned his and Ben Nolting), and directed two divided among his early work in the Ph.D. at The Ohio calculus of variations and subsequent senior thesis projects (Paul Macklin State University in work in several areas of mathematical and Brittany Bunker). He has been 1970 and came to UNL in 1981 after modeling, including detonation theory, infl uential at the national level a postdoctoral appointment at the groundwater fl ow, and mathematical through editorial, refereeing and University of Arizona and a faculty biology. The mathematical modeling reviewing work, invited colloquia at position at Kansas State University. research group of our department 32 institutions, and the organization He also served as a collaborator consists largely of faculty who were of four conferences and conference for short periods with Los Alamos recruited by David or came because sessions hosted by our department.

12 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends FFacultyaculty NNewsews { IN MEMORIAM his wife, Gretel Muenzinger. Following of Teachers of Mathematics Milton teaching positions at the University Beckmann Lifetime Achievement Walter E. of Massachusetts and Nevada he Award, “In special recognition for a had a distinguished 45-year tenure career of outstanding contributions of Mientka, as Professor of Mathematics at mathematics education in the State of 88, of Lincoln, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska.” passed away on from 1957-2002. During his career, Walter greatly appreciated the June 1, 2014; Walter continued his research, developmental opportunities he had born October 1, taught thousands of students, during his tenure at the University 1925, in Amherst and participated in a multitude of Nebraska-Lincoln and support Massachusetts. of mathematical education and he received from the Mathematics His most service activities. His Ph.D. students Department faculty, American cherished early included the fi rst woman to receive Mathematics Competitions support memories were as a nature counselor a Ph.D. from the UNL Department of staff , College of Arts & Sciences, at Camp Menatoma, Kents Hill, Mathematics. University administration, and the Maine. Walter built a motorbike He served as Executive Director Mathematical Association of America. using parts scavenged from the local and President of the Nebraska He especially wanted to recognize the dump on which he rode 250 miles Academy of Sciences, President of excellent work of his former students to and from camp for nine summers. Sigma Xi, Faculty Senate Secretary, and all students at large he had the Walter’s love of camping and nature Department Liaison for Women privilege and honor to teach. inspired him to earn an Eagle Scout. in Science, Director of the Junior Walter is survived by his wife of He was also a dropforge worker Mathematics Prognosis program and 59 years Gretel; his sons, Andre’ and and milling machine operator at the Executive Director of the American Bennet; daughter, Rebecca Whitaker; Armory in Springfi eld, Massachusetts, Mathematics Competitions for 22 daughters-in-law, Margaret, Kathryn, during WWII. years and four years as Executive and Sandra; son-in-law, Brent; and Walter obtained a BS from the Director of the USA International ten beloved grandchildren; Gabriel, University of Massachusetts, MA from Mathematical Olympiad. Stephanie, Christopher, Marinda, Columbia University, and Analytic Numerous honors included Rosemarie, Brianna, Sarah, Duncan, Number Theory Ph.D. from the the UNL Distinguished Teaching Chloe, and Ethan. He was preceded in University of Colorado where he met Award and Nebraska Association death by his second son, Timothy.

colleague, Professor Ruth Heaton in mathematics. Th e department has LEWIS From Page 1 the Department of Teaching, Learn- awarded 42 percent of its Ph.Ds to stakeholders in support of positive ing and Teacher Education. From the women since 1995, compared with change in mathematics. creation of Th e Mathematics Semester only 27 percent nationally for all new “Jim Lewis has made tremendous for pre-service teachers at UNL to a female Ph.Ds. Th is data also stands contributions to the mathematics remarkable collection of professional in stark contrast to the fact that the profession, not only at UNL and in development opportunities for in- UNL mathematics department did not the state of Nebraska, but across the service teachers, he has been masterful award the Ph.D. to a single woman country,” said Judy Walker, chair of at building communities and programs during the decade of the ’80s. the mathematics department. “To whose goals are to improve education. Th e 2014 recipient of the Gung have his contributions recognized Over the past 10 years, Lewis has and Hu Award was Joan Leitzel, a with the MAA’s Gung and Hu Award been the Principal Investigator for two former interim chancellor, senior is a testament to his commitment to NSF Math Science Partnerships (Math vice chancellor for academic aff airs mathematics.” in the Middle and NebraskaMATH) and professor of mathematics at Lewis’ work at the national level and an NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship UNL between 1992 and 1996, who is includes chairing or co-chairing grant, NebraskaNOYCE. More president emerita of the University the committees that produced the recently, he led the team that received of New Hampshire. Leitzel’s publications Th e Mathematical major funding from Th e Sherwood husband, Jim, also was a professor of Education of Teachers, Educating Foundation® and the Lozier Foundation mathematics at UNL from 1993 to Teachers of Science, Mathematics and to support the Omaha Public Schools 1996. For a list of the past recipients, Technology: New Practices for the New Teacher Leader Academy. see the MAA website. Millennium, and Th e Mathematical His encouragement of women in Th e initial endowment for the Education of Teachers II. He has also mathematics has led to the department award was contributed by husband and served as Chair of the Conference being nationally recognized for its wife Dr. Charles Y. Hu and Yueh-Gin Board of the Mathematical Sciences. successful mentoring of women. Gung. Th ey were not mathematicians, Lewis also has had a signifi cant Presently, the department is one of but said they consider mathematics to impact on K-16 education in Nebraska, the most successful in the country be the most vital fi eld of study in the much of it done in partnership with his with respect to educating women in technological age we are living in. www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 13 FFacultyaculty NNewsews {Th a anknk youyou toto ourour DonorsDonors Recent donors to the Mr. and Mrs. James and Joyce Angell Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Elizabeth Department of Mathematics Dr. and Mrs. Jack and Lois Beal Moisan Benevity, Inc. Nike Employee Matching Gift Chair’s Circle Dr. Monte B. Boisen Jr. and Helen Dr. and Mrs. Allan C. Peterson (donors above $5,000) Reynolds Boisen Mrs. Julia Read-LaBelle and Mr. Peter Ms. Amy S. Bouska Ms. Linda J. Bors LaBelle Dr. and Mrs. John E. Boyer, Jr. Mr. Ernest E. Haight Mrs. Joyce D. Rodenberg Dr. and Mrs. Karl and Nancy Byleen Mr. Richard D. Hitz Mr. and Mrs. Alexander F. and Mr. and Mrs. Timothy and Lisa Davis John Deere Foundation Martha S. Rolle Dr. Bo Deng Dr. W. James Lewis and Ms. Doris Ms. Gopi Goda Dr. and Mrs. Steven E. and Clista K. Lewis Dr. Scott A. Hottovy and Anna O. Latta Seals Mr. Conrad Rennemann, Jr. Drs. Erica L. Johnson and Howard Dr. Daniel Y. Toundykov Skogman Drs. Judy L. and Mark E. Walker Friends Mr. James R. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Dean M. and Teresa A. Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Kelly Allison Dr. Steven P. Lindblad Way Dr. Douglas R. Anderson Drs. John C. and Glory L. Meakin Drs. Roger A. and Sylvia M. Wiegand Contributions to math department funds can be made online or through the mail (see page 20 for donation form). Go to www.math.unl.edu/department/giving for details. Th ank you for supporting the activities of the UNL Department of Mathematics.

CHAIR From Page 1 the McClymont Award – she is the one on the changes to the classes second of our faculty in two years to themselves and the opportunities for shows to our city. Two blocks south of be recognized with this honor. Aubrey graduate students that go along with campus, P Street has been redesigned Th ompson, who completed her un- these changes. with wider sidewalks, more landscap- dergraduate mathematics major from Our faculty and students are trav- ing, and a new park at the corner of our department in May, was awarded eling the world. New to this issue of 13th. It’s a beautiful city, and exciting an NSF graduate fellowship. And Math Math News is “Sylvia’s Journal,” which things are happening here. Day will celebrate its 25th year later gives an accounting of Sylvia Wie- Exciting things are happening this fall. gand’s trip to the International Con- in our department, too. Our cur- Chancellor Harvey Perlman has gress of Mathematicians held in Seoul, rent group of assistant professors is declared goals for our campus of Korea in August. Stephen Hartke and exceptionally strong, and each of them increasing enrollment, from 25,000 to John Meakin just completed Fulbright is on track to a stellar career at UNL. 30,000, and of increasing the six-year Fellowships in Hungary and India, We currently host fi ve postdoctoral graduation rate for our undergraduate respectively, and two undergradu- fellows, each of whom is contributing students. Of course our department ate students found opportunities to to multiple aspects of the department’s is central to the campus’s abilities to study mathematics in Russia. Th ese work. Jim Lewis will be recognized meet these goals: this semester, the trips are just a sampling of the inter- with one of the highest awards given department is teaching 13.3 percent national travel UNL mathematicians by the Mathematical Association of of all classes taught at UNL, and 67.4 do each year to participate in confer- America – the Gung and Hu Award percent of all freshmen are currently ences and workshops and collaborate for Distinguished Service – at the taking a mathematics course. We are with colleagues around the globe. We Joint Mathematics Meetings in Janu- responding to this challenge with would love to be able to document the ary. Mark Walker was named a Willa a renewed focus on our 100-level travel of department faculty, students, Cather Professor, joining a group of mathematics courses that includes alumni, and friends through photos of fi ve other named professors in the substantial professional development these travelers wearing Math Depart- department. John Meakin just fi n- opportunities for the graduate students ment T-shirts in faraway places. If you ished his term as a Fulbright-Nehru teaching these courses. In this issue don’t yet have a Math Department Teaching and Research Scholar. Mark of Math News are two stories related T-shirt, please contact Liz Youroukos Brittenham and Petronela Radu both to these eff orts: one on the renovated at [email protected] to order one. won College of Arts and Sciences classrooms we are using to facilitate And then wear it whenever – and distinguished teaching awards, and the active, collaborative learning we wherever – you can, taking pictures Petronela was also the recipient of want to see in these classrooms, and along the way.

14 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends AAlumnilumni NNewsews { Mayo physician welcomes a challenge hen Dr. Jim Steckelberg started cal school during the Rhodes Scholar Wmedical school at the Mayo interview process. He started out in Clinic College of Medicine in 1979, internal medicine and then developed he had no set plans to stay. Th irty- an interest in infectious diseases dur- fi ve years later, the 1975 University of ing residency. Nebraska-Lincoln graduate is Mayo’s Now he is professor and past emeritus chair of infectious diseases. chair of a unit of 25 clinical infectious While it’s unusual for a doctor to disease specialists. While he focuses remain at the same institution for medi- on cardiovascular and bone and joint cal school, residency and fellowship, infections, his department also handles it is not uncommon for doctors at the cases involving HIV, AIDS, tropical Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. diseases, and transplant infections to “Th ere is little turnover here,” name a few. Mayo sees patients from Steckelberg said. “At each step, I would around the world and 10 percent to 15 look around and think, ‘where should percent are international, Steckelberg I go for the next part?’, and each time said. While no one with Ebola has it seemed the best thing to stay. Th e come to Mayo yet, Steckelberg said programs are all so good.” the threat of this infectious disease has A native of Fremont, Nebraska, caused every referral center in the U.S. Steckelberg did not always intend to COURTESY PHOTO to be geared up to see it and have a become a doctor, either. He followed Dr. Jim Steckelberg graduated from plan for how to handle it. his brother, Allen, who is now an asso- UNL in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in A fan of pure mathematics ciate professor in UNL’s Department of mathematics and computer science. He because it’s a “thought experiment,” Teaching, Learning and Teacher Edu- is emeritus chair of infectious diseases Steckelberg said he uses statistics the cation, to UNL and double-majored at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. most in his current position, taking in mathematics and computer science. but he had a hallmark for being excep- observational data and then making His intellectual love for the topics and tionable with everybody, even the, shall reasonable inferences. the challenges they presented were we say, less motivated. He has been an He advises any current students right up his alley, he said. inspiration for generations of students.” considering medical school to “make “College at UNL was the best time sure it’s what you want to do. Don’t do Aft er being selected for a pres- of my life,” Steckelberg said. “I couldn’t it for glamour; it’s hard work. Th ere are tigious Rhodes have been happier a lot of challenges, but I love it.” Scholarship to with the education He also met the love of his life, his “Make sure [becoming attend Oxford, he I got there. In my wife, Christie, during medical school. left UNL planning current role, I see a doctor] is what you She is now a nurse anesthetist at Mayo. to pursue a Ph.D. people from all want to do. Don’t do it for Th ey have three daughters, Chelsea, over with diff erent in mathematics. Rachel and Katie. Rachel and Katie educational back- glamour; it’s hard work. But, his plans all are in anesthetist residency programs grounds, and UNL Th ere are a lot of challenges, changed aft er an at UCLA and Mayo, respectively, and is a terrifi c place.” illness caused Chelsea is a medical social worker in When Steck- but I love it.” him to end up Minneapolis. elberg arrived – Dr. Jim Steckelberg in the hospital For Steckelberg, all of these years on campus, his and spend three at the bedsides of dying patients has mathematics pro- months on a ven- made him appreciate his family even fessors Jim Lewis tilator. more. and Gordon Woodward were only “When I came out of the hospital, “Remember what is really impor- in their second year at UNL – but to I made a career shift ,” Steckelberg said. tant in life, the relationships you have Steckelberg, they were already inspir- “When I went to Oxford, I changed to with the people you love,” he advised. ing teachers. human physiology from mathematics “I’ve never had a patient say at the end “Jim was always able to bring out in preparation for medical school.” of their life, ‘I wish I had spent more the best in folks,” Steckelberg said. Steckelberg had Mayo in mind time at the offi ce.’ ” “Some students are easier than others, aft er meeting the dean of its medi- – Lindsay Augustyn www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 15 AAlumnilumni NNewsews

Fill out a career profi le online UNL Department {Class Notes http://www.math.unl.edu/survey of Mathematics Nick Homan (BS ’92) went on to and in Summer 2012 he took (and of the most amazing animals on the earn a Master of Science in Astro- passed!) actuarial Exam P. He will use planet, the wolverine. She may not nautical Engineering from the Naval his sabbatical in Spring 2014 to study walk a traditional or ‘normal’ life Postgraduate School in Monterey, for actuarial Exam FM. Mark took up path since she graduated from UNL, California. He is now a captain in the running three years ago, running a lot but her background in mathematics U.S. Navy, in which he has served for of 5K races over the past three years. gives her the problem solving skills 30 years. He ran his fi rst 10K and half-mara- she needs to navigate the out-of-the- thon this past fall. Mark and his wife, ordinary path she follows. Corey Maley (BS ’05) earned his Ann, have two children, and they love master’s degree in philosophy in 2010 living in the small Dutch community Ed Wiley (BA ’94) completed from Princeton University and will that is Pella, Iowa. a Master of Arts from UNL in earn his Ph.D. from Princeton in 2014. educational psychology in 1996, He is an assistant professor in phi- Katy Nelson (BS ’05) is now the Stanford Statistics program in losophy at the University of Kansas. a Wilderness Ranger and Idaho 2000, and the Stanford Psychological Wolverine Field Technician in the Studies in Education program in 2001. Mark Mills (BS ’91) has taught United States Forest Service and Ed now works for Seagate Technology mathematics at Central College in Round River Conservation. Katy as the Director of Big Data Analytics, Pella, Iowa, since 1999. He earned his spends more time outside than inside, doing research in statistics and master’s degree and Ph.D. at Iowa both working and playing. She said predictive analytics. Ed was formerly State University. He was promoted to she is lucky that both of her jobs on the faculty at the University Professor of Mathematics at Central (backcountry ranger and wolverine of Colorado, Boulder, where he

College in Fall 2013. In 2009, Mark study tech) take her to remote places chaired the Research and Evaluation

started an actuarial science major, and allow her to study perhaps one Methodology program. Where has your Mathematics { { T-shirt been?

Gordon and Margaret Woodward at Stonehenge in England

Send your photos to: [email protected]

Mike McQuistan John Meakin at the Shore Temple in (BS ’99) in the Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India Everglades, Florida

16 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends SStudenttudent NNewsews {

TROY FEDDERSON/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Aubrey Th ompson, a senior mathematics major who graduated May 2014, has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She will use the award to pursue a doctorate at Carnegie Mellon University. Thompson earns NSF graduate fellowship UNL graduate who applied her “If you can bring your Th ompson assisted a project in Amath skills to understand how the summer 2013 that explored how popu- brain thinks and perceives is pursuing a own funding to a graduate lations of neurons within the brain be- doctorate at Carnegie Mellon Universi- school, you’re a much have. Th ompson said she will continue ty with the help of the National Science better candidate for schools the research in graduate school. Foundation. Receiving the NSF fellowship was Aubrey Th ompson earned an NSF because they don’t have to a surprise for Th ompson, who said the Graduate Research Fellowship, which fi nd the funding for you.” funding would allow her to be more provides international research and particular in the type of research she – Aubrey Th ompson, on the honor professional development opportuni- pursues in graduate school. ties. Th ompson received her bachelor’s of receiving the fellowship “It’s an honor to receive the fel- degree in mathematics in May 2014. lowship and if you can bring your own Th ompson, a Lincoln native, has said. “Or, how does the brain represent funding to a graduate school, you’re studied machine learning algorithms, the world around it? a much better candidate for schools which attempt to extract patterns out “Th e theoretical or mathematical because they don’t have to fi nd the of large amounts of data. She expanded neuroscience fi eld is mainly concerned funding for you,” Th ompson said. “Th is her research into the fi eld of mathemat- with asking how the brain thinks and ical neuroscience through a UCARE perceives, and specifi cally whether we will allow me to do the research I want undergraduate research project in can use mathematics to further under- to do because I won’t be relying on my mathematics. stand these phenomena.” adviser for grant funding.” “I’ve worked on various neural Th ompson, who was also enrolled More than 14,000 applications coding projects, where typically the in the Raikes School, said her computer were received for the 2014 competition, question is, given neural fi ring patterns, science education was especially valu- and 2,000 fellowships were awarded. how does the brain decipher what stim- able because technology is so inter- – Deann Gayman, ulus is being presented?” Th ompson twined with research. University Communications www.math.unl.edu/friends Fall 2014 17 SStudenttudent NNewsews Mayfi eld one { of fi rst from U.S. to visit Russian city

hrough a new Education Abroad Tprogram at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, senior mathematics major Caleb Mayfi eld became one of the fi rst Americans to travel to the city of Perm, Russia. Headed by Associate Professor Radha Balasubramanian, advisor of Russian Language in the Modern Languages department, Mayfi eld and two others studied at Perm National Research Polytechnic University from May 16-June 11, 2014. “It had been a closed city, as it had military installations,” Mayfi eld said, “so it just opened to foreigners because they still have a lot of regulations from socialist times. Our professor had been to Perm multiple times, and she set up the program for students in her Russian class to go, so I and two others decided we’d like to head the program and be the fi rst students to go to that university.” While the program is centered on Russian language learning, students COURTESY PHOTO choose a side research track. Mayfi eld, Senior mathematics major Caleb Mayfi eld, shown outside St. Basil’s Cathedral, trav- who is also pursuing a minor in Rus- eled to Perm, Russia, through a UNL Education Abroad program in 2014. sian, chose mathematics. “Since we were there for a short city in Russia. Aft er St. Petersburg and “I had participated in the MASS time, we met once a week with our Moscow, Perm is Russia’s leading city program at Penn State, and one of the specifi c professors of interest, so I met for opera, ballet and drama theatre. At people there was going to Moscow once a week with one of their math the end of the program, students take right aft er that. I thought it sounded professors, and then we went over a three-day excursion to Moscow. For really interesting and so I kept in con- number theory in Russian,” he said. “It more information about the program, tact with him. He seemed to enjoy it a was in the traditional Russian style of visit: https://myworld.unl.edu. lot, so I thought I’d apply,” he said. teaching, so it was a lot of translating. Mayfi eld most enjoyed visiting St. Calderon will take three math- Unfortunately my translator only knew Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and the ematics courses and one Russian about a hundred words of English, and changing of the guard at the Kremlin. class. While the program is taught in I was at like a second grade Russian “Th e cathedral was a marvel,” he English, Calderon is currently enrolled level, but it was really unique because said. “It was a life-changing moment.” in Russian 101 in preparation. since it was math, we could still com- “I’ve never been out of the coun- municate through math.” Math in Moscow program try before, so I think that experiencing Perm National Research Poly- a completely diff erent culture should technic University was founded in Junior mathematics and philoso- be really fun,” he said. “Th ere’s a really 1953 and is one of the leading techni- phy major Aaron Calderon of Omaha high level of academic rigor there and cal higher schools in Russia. About has been selected for the Math in a diff erent pedagogical approach, so it 30,000 students currently study at Moscow program at the Independent would be fun to take that all in.” PNRPU. Perm is the most Eastern University of Moscow in Russia and For more information, visit: city of Europe and is the sixth largest will study there from January to May. http://www.mccme.ru/mathinmoscow.

18 Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends

21 19 2014 Fall www.math.unl.edu/friends

Carina Curto Carina (University of of (University Carraher, James Carraher, Jian Yeo, Shalima Zalsha, Yang Zheng Yang Zalsha, Shalima Yeo, Jian

Wiles, Morgan Wilken, Karly Williams, Williams, Karly Wilken, Morgan Wiles,

geometry to analyze neural codes, codes, neural analyze to geometry

Allan Peterson Peterson Allan Calculus, Fractional

Sedor, Minh Tran, Samuel Tritsch, Francis Francis Tritsch, Samuel Tran, Minh Sedor,

The neural ring: Using algebraic algebraic Using ring: neural The

Nabla Nabla lecturer) Nebraska-Lincoln

Michael Rogers, Amanda Sedor, Bradley Bradley Sedor, Amanda Rogers, Michael

(Harvey Mudd College) College) Mudd (Harvey Youngs, Nora Youngs,

(University of of (University Brackins, Abby Abby Brackins, Matthew McKitrick, Benjamin Reed, Reed, Benjamin McKitrick, Matthew

and Daniel Toundykov Daniel and

Sing Lee, Xiaoluan Li, Yu Li, Chaoyu Liu, Liu, Chaoyu Li, Yu Li, Xiaoluan Lee, Sing

s e t a r o t c o D 4 1 0 2 Mohammad Rammaha Rammaha Mohammad equations, plate rine Hodges, Seth Jameson, Kevin Jerger, Jerger, Kevin Jameson, Seth Hodges, rine

semilinear Reissner-Mindlin-Timoshenko Reissner-Mindlin-Timoshenko semilinear Anthony Duren, Cor- Duren, Anthony December 2013: December

posedness and long-term behavior of of behavior long-term and posedness

Hao Wu Hao

Well- College) (Earlham Pei, Pei Pei, Matthew James, Kimberly Ocampo Kimberly James, Matthew

Matthew Harmon, Alexander Houston, Houston, Alexander Harmon, Matthew

Alicia Davis, Davis, Alicia December 2013 (MAT): (MAT): 2013 December

, Christine Kelley Christine , storage Kenneth Cutler, Han Gao, Gao, Han Cutler, Kenneth August 2013: 2013: August

coding techniques for fl ash memory memory ash fl for techniques coding

Terry, Shannon Wiig Shannon Terry,

Wingfi eld Wingfi

Algebraic and combinatorial combinatorial and Algebraic University)

Roeber-Schoening, Kyle Schwaninger, Leah Leah Schwaninger, Kyle Roeber-Schoening,

Stukenholtz, Aubrey Thompson, Lydia Lydia Thompson, Aubrey Stukenholtz,

(Villanova (Villanova Haymaker, Katie Haymaker,

any Powers, Kelli Kelli Powers, any Tiff Ogden, any Tiff Novak, Thomas Seewald, David Stephens, Molly Molly Stephens, David Seewald, Thomas

Jennifer Kreifels, Dan Martin, Laura Laura Martin, Dan Kreifels, Jennifer Pettit, Anthony Presnell, Travis Ray, Ray, Travis Presnell, Anthony Pettit, Mark Walker Mark

Clinch, Mitchell Fricke, Mandy Kehm, Kehm, Mandy Fricke, Mitchell Clinch,

Michaela Onkka, Katie Pawlowski, Clinton Clinton Pawlowski, Katie Onkka, Michaela , , Intersections Complete Over Modules

Courtney Beach, Karen Karen Beach, Courtney 2014 (MAT): (MAT): 2014

Michael Niemeier, Matthew Olson, Olson, Matthew Niemeier, Michael Algebraic Properties of Ext- of Properties Algebraic University)

Miller, Brittany Murphy, Sebastian Nabb, Nabb, Sebastian Murphy, Brittany Miller,

(Worcester State State (Worcester Hardin, Jason Hardin, Simone Westermayer, Andrew Windle Andrew Westermayer, Simone

Henry Mattern, Rollin Metzger, Ryan Ryan Metzger, Rollin Mattern, Henry

Pike, Neil Steinburg, Camila Tulyaganova, Tulyaganova, Camila Steinburg, Neil Pike,

George Avalos George Karnik, Grant Langdon, Na Li, Yuan Liu, Liu, Yuan Li, Na Langdon, Grant Karnik,

Nicholas Kass, Alexander Kunin, Shaylyn Shaylyn Kunin, Alexander Kass, Nicholas

a 3-D Fluid-Structure Interactive PDE, PDE, Interactive Fluid-Structure 3-D a Hadan, Simin Hong, Libin Jia, Kelsey Kelsey Jia, Libin Hong, Simin Hadan,

DeSantis, Areeba Ikram, Jill Jessee, Jessee, Jill Ikram, Areeba DeSantis,

Daniel Geschwender, Keaton Greve, Cale Cale Greve, Keaton Geschwender, Daniel Functional and Numerical Analysis of of Analysis Numerical and Functional

Derek Derek Chen Bin Canton, Eric Bolkema,

, ,

Alexander Burch, Jana Carmichael, Carmichael, Jana Burch, Alexander An Applied Applied An College) (Dordt Clark, Tom Clark,

Akesseh, Andrew Becklin, Jessalyn Jessalyn Becklin, Andrew Akesseh,

Kofi Amevor, Nikolas Bravo, Bravo, Nikolas Amevor, Kofi May 2014: 2014: May

Kevin Ahrendt, Solomon Solomon Ahrendt, Kevin 2014 (MA/MS): (MA/MS): 2014

Stephen Hartke Stephen

pancyclicity, and graphs edge-colored s e e r g e d s ’ r e t s a M s e e r g e d s ’ r o l e h c a B

Results on on Results Kearney) at Nebraska

Lauren Keough Lauren Keaton Greve, Travis Ray Travis Greve, Keaton Jason Hardin Jason

Teaching by a Graduate Student Graduate a by Teaching Outstanding Exposition Outstanding Nikolas Bravo, Daniel Geschwender, Geschwender, Daniel Bravo, Nikolas

Don Miller Award for Outstanding Outstanding for Award Miller Don Steven Haataja Award for for Award Haataja Steven Honors Program Honors

Graduated with Honors from from Honors with Graduated Stephanie Prahl, Laura White Laura Prahl, Stephanie Carolyn Mayer, Cory Wright Cory Mayer, Carolyn

Chancellors Fellowship Chancellors Brown, Sarah Behrens; First-Year: First-Year: Behrens; Sarah Brown, Claire Schirle Claire

- Michael Michael - (Spring) Advanced Youngs;

(available to all) to (available Joel Stebbins Fund Fund Stebbins Joel

s d r a w A e t a u d a r G

- James Carraher, Nora Nora Carraher, James - (Fall) Advanced

Erin Fick, Matthew Smith Matthew Fick, Erin

MCTP Trainees MCTP

Irwin Dubinsky Memorial Scholar Memorial Dubinsky Irwin

Claire Tunakan Claire hauser, Ariel Setniker, Peder Thompson Peder Setniker, Ariel hauser,

Vandergriend, Collin Victor Collin Vandergriend,

Dr. Hubert Schneider Scholarship Schneider Hubert Dr. Reynolds, Travis Russell, Chris Schaf- Chris Russell, Travis Reynolds,

Romero, Olivia Thiel, Elizabeth Elizabeth Thiel, Olivia Romero,

liam Jamieson, Caitlyn Parmelee, Sara Sara Parmelee, Caitlyn Jamieson, liam

Matthew Smith Matthew

Ethan Romery, Lawrence Seminario- Lawrence Romery, Ethan

Maranda Franke, Erica Gilliland, Wil- Gilliland, Erica Franke, Maranda Scholarship

Alexandra Janvrin, Michael Pieper, Pieper, Michael Janvrin, Alexandra

GAANN Fellowships GAANN Ruby Matzke Wittemore Wittemore Matzke Ruby

(for Nebraska high school graduates) graduates) school high Nebraska (for

Christopher Evans, Mitch Hamidi Mitch Evans, Christopher Michaela Cunningham Michaela

Memorial new freshmen scholars freshmen new Memorial

Othmer Graduate Fellowship Graduate Othmer Drusilla Winchester Scholarship Winchester Drusilla

Dean H and Floreen G Eastman Eastman G Floreen and H Dean

Solomon Akesseh, Anne Kerian Anne Akesseh, Solomon Cassandra McKay Cassandra

academic year. academic Emeritus Faculty Fellowship Faculty Emeritus Renneman/Luebber Scholarship Renneman/Luebber

more were awarded for 2013-14 2013-14 for awarded were more

Jeremy Trageser Jeremy

Aubrey Thompson Aubrey

Note: 64 scholarships of $1,000 or or $1,000 of scholarships 64 Note:

Lloyd Jackson Award Jackson Lloyd

NSF Graduate Fellowship Graduate NSF

(over $1,000 per year) per $1,000 (over

Haydee Lindo Haydee

Tritsch Special Scholarships Awards Scholarships Special

Bill Leavitt Award Leavitt Bill 1st), Jordan O’Neal (UNL 2nd), Samuel Samuel 2nd), (UNL O’Neal Jordan 1st),

Aubrey Thompson Aubrey

Jackson Bauer, Nikolas Bravo (UNL (UNL Bravo Nikolas Bauer, Jackson

Andrew Windle Andrew

mathematics record mathematics

Putnam Participants Participants Putnam

Outstanding First-Year Student Award Student First-Year Outstanding

graduating senior with strongest strongest with senior graduating

Program)

Simone Westermayer Simone Awarded to the the to Awarded Chair’s Prize Prize Chair’s

e), Aubrey Thompson (Raikes (Raikes Thompson Aubrey e), Radcliff

Walter Mientka Teaching Award Teaching Mientka Walter

Allan Peterson), Helen Pitts (Math, Jamie Jamie (Math, Pitts Helen Peterson), Allan

s d r a w A

Neil Steinburg Neil

Karnik (Statistics), Matthew Olson (Math, (Math, Olson Matthew (Statistics), Karnik

Outstanding Qualifying Exam Qualifying Outstanding

Spencer Farley (Raikes Program), Kelsey Kelsey Program), (Raikes Farley Spencer

e t a u d a r g r e d n U

Christopher Schafhauser Christopher (directed by) (directed :

Henry Young Award Young Henry Graduated with Distinction Distinction with Graduated

2013-2014 Senior Honors Thesis and and Thesis Honors Senior Grace Chisholm Young and William William and Young Chisholm Grace

s w e News N t n e d u t Student

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Math News is a newsletter published for the UNL Department of Math News is produced and edited by Lindsay Augustyn of the UNL Center for Mathematics community. To receive Math News via email, please Science, Mathematics and Computer Education. register online. Comments regarding newsletter content should be It is the policy of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln not to discriminate based upon age, sent to Judy Walker ([email protected]), Chair, UNL Depart- race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, ment of Mathematics, 203 Avery Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0130. genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, religion or political affi liation.

Fall 2014 www.math.unl.edu/friends