Past Departmental Award Recipients
Department of Mathematics Scholarships and Awards
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
Two awards are made each year, one for December commencement (for students who graduated over the summer in the fall semester) and the other for May commencement (for students graduating in the spring semester). Each semester, the department's selection for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Mathematics is then forwarded to the College of Science for consideration for the College of Science Outstanding Graduating Senior Award.
- 2013 Fall: Ravi Ram
- 2013 Spring: Rachel Baumann
- 2012 Fall: Aleksey Chernobelskiy
- 2012 Spring: Howard Cheng
- 2011 Fall: Xinglei Chai
- 2011 Spring: Robert Muth
- 2010 Fall: Lauren Myers
- 2010 Spring: Alan Mackey
- 2009 Fall: Joseph Rose
- 2009 Spring: Amanda Schaeffer
- 2008 Fall: Brittanie Broersma
- 2008 Spring: Haokun "Sam" Xu
- 2007 Fall: Andrew Winslow
- 2007 Spring: Christopher Robert McMurdie
- 2006 Fall: Peter Poer
- 2003 Spring: Ed Carter
- 2002 Spring: Ivo Seitenzahl
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
During the spring semester, the Undergraduate Committee (UGC) selects a mathematics major (who will be graduating during that academic year) for Excellence in Undergraduate Research in Mathematics. The department's selection for Excellence in Undergraduate Research in Mathematics is then forwarded to the College of Science for consideration for the College of Science Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award.
- 2013 Spring: Doron Shahar
- 2012 Spring: Jason (Qian) Xu
- 2011 Spring: Andrew Binder
- 2010 Spring: Sean Howe
- 2009 Spring: Amanda Schaeffer
- 2008 Spring: Brendan Christopher Fry
- 2007 Spring: Christopher Robert McMurdie
- 2003 Spring: Justin W. "Dub"Gaberdiel
Toubassi Award
Selected by the UGC in honor of Emeritus Professor of Mathematics Elias Toubassi. Recipients are excellent graduating students applying to graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. The recipients' PhD programs are listed.
- 2013-2014: Austin Antoniou - TBA
- 2012-2013: Rachel Baumann - U of A Mathematics graduate program
- 2011-2012: Howard Cheng - NYU Courant Institute Mathematics graduate program
- 2010-2011: Robert Muth - U of Oregon Mathematics graduate program
- 2009-2010: Sean Howe - U of Chicago Mathematics graduate program
The Emeritus Faculty Award for Academic Excellence
- 2013-2014: Taylor Corcoran
Marianne Cooke Johnsen Scholarship supporting women in mathematics
Late in 2009, the Department of Mathematics received notification of a new endowment for a scholarship in Mathematics. The Marianne Cooke Johnsen Endowment was created by Melissa Johnsen and Randy Johnsen in honor of their mother. Marianne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 1948, but it was her love of mathematics and teaching that inspired many students over her 30 year career. After a move to the San Francisco Bay area with her family, Marianne began working as an elementary school teacher in the Palo Alto school district. She was chosen to develop, implement and manage a successful program for gifted students. Cooke Johnsen went on to become a mathematics consultant for the district of 17,000 students. During this time, she authored five mathematics text books used by the district, primarily for children from 3rd to 6th grades.
Students interested in applying for this scholarship must be entering their Junior year (submission of application should occur at the conclusion of the Sophomore year), a declared Mathematics or Mathematics Education Major, female, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. In addition, applicants are asked to submit an essay along with their application. The essay, of 500 words or less, should address:
- Why I chose to be a Mathematics or Mathematics Education Major
- How I will use my degree upon graduation from the University of Arizona
The essay, which should focus on how the applicant wants to positively impact society, will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Committee or by a Scholarship Committee designated by the Department Head. They will also be included in the annual Johnsen Family newsletter and will be distributed to donors and friends of the Marianne Cooke Johnsen Endowment in Mathematics.
- 2013: Laura Nakolan
- 2012: Taylor Corcoran
- 2011: Ashley Anhalt
LUSK (Harry W. and Janet Sine) Scholarship Award
The Lusk Award was established by Dr. Duncan Buell in 1985 in honor of his grandparents. Harry and Janet Lusk graduated from The University of Arizona in 1912 and 1911, respectively. Their three children also graduated from the UA, making theirs the first family all of whose members were UA graduates. Dr. Buell, grandson of Harry and Janet, continued the tradition by receiving a B.S. in Mathematics from the UA in 1971. He subsequently received a M.A. (University of Michigan) and a Ph.D. (University of Illinois), both in mathematics.
- 2013 Spring: Cheryl Cheah
- 2013 Spring: Shloka Desai
- 2013 Spring: Emily Y Huang
- 2013 Spring: Cassandra Lejoly
- 2013 Spring: Riley Sullivan
- 2012 Spring: Taylor Corcoran
- 2012 Spring: Christian Gentry
- 2012 Spring: Aurya Javeed
- 2008 Spring: Matthew Hall
- 2008 Spring: Alex Henniges
- 2007 Spring: Sarae Beal (Hatch)
- 2007 Spring: Brendan Fry
- 2006 Spring: Matthew Moore
- 2005- 2006: Peter Gross
- 2004- 2005: Tyler Robinson
- 2002- 2003: Ed Carter
- 2002- 2003: Joshua Green
Richard Pierce Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding students majoring in Mathematics. This award was endowed by family and friends of our late Professor, Richard "Dick" Pierce, who was a member of the Mathematics Department from 1975-1990. Professor Pierce enriched the lives of his colleagues and graduate students, and especially of the undergraduates in the department. He was a valuable mentor to numerous young mathematicians.
- 2013 Spring: Matthew Musick
- 2013 Spring: Riley Sullivan
- 2013 Spring: Alexia Tatem
- 2012 Spring: Aurya Javeed
- 2012 Spring: Cassandra Lejoly
- 2008- 2009: Ehsan Bokhari
- 2008- 2009: Harshil Seth
- 2007- 2008: Ehsan Bokhari
- 2007- 2008: Harshil Seth
- 2007- 2008: Brendan Fry
- 2006- 2007: Brendan Fry
- 2005- 2006: Tyler Robinson
- 2004- 2005: Andrew Lebovitz
- 2003- 2004: Jad Halimeh
- 2002- 2003: Althea Moorhead
- 2002- 2003: Shiho Takeda
Rick Peet Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding students majoring in Mathematics. The Peet Memorial Award was established in 1992 by friends and family of Rick Peet, who had been an undergraduate in the Mathematics program and, but for his unforeseen death in 1990, would have entered the department's graduate program. Rick was a typical mathematics major in that he was also a talented athlete and musician, and he believed deeply in the social value of advanced study in the sciences.
- 2013 Spring: Alexia Tatem
- 2012 Spring: Rachel Baumann
- 2008- 2009: Jarl Haggerty
- 2008- 2009: Andrew Pyzdek
- 2008- 2009: Liz Uribe
- 2007- 2008: Jarl Haggerty
- 2007- 2008: Sean Howe
- 2007- 2008: Andrew Pyzdek
- 2006- 2007: Jennifer Anderson
- 2005- 2006: Brendan Fry
- 2004- 2005: Ryan Hatch
- 2003- 2004: Gabriel Marcus
- 2002- 2003: Michelle Cobeaga
Roy Graesser Foundation Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding students majoring in Mathematics. Must be AZ resident. The longest standing award, named for Roy F. Graesser, who was Head of the Mathematics Department in the 1940s and 50s. Emeritus Professor Art Steinbrenner recalled Graesser as a gentle and considerate individual who lived simply, despite having the means to endow a substantial foundation after his death.
- 2013 Spring: Taylor Corcoran
- 2013 Spring: Christian Gentry
- 2013 Spring: Matthew Musick
- 2012 Spring: Ashley Anhalt
- 2012 Spring: Adam DeBolt
- 2012 Spring: Sean Rice
- 2008- 2009: Andrew K. Somers
- 2008- 2009: Amanda Schaeffer
- 2008- 2009: Daniel Rachin
- 2008- 2009: Derek Hollman
- 2008- 2009: Jessica Bernier
- 2008- 2009: Livia Zarnescu
- 2008- 2009: Sarah Williamson
- 2007- 2008: Derek Hollman
- 2007- 2008: Daniel Rachin
- 2007- 2008: Amanda Schaeffer
- 2007- 2008: Andrew K. Somers
- 2007- 2008: Sarah Williamson
- 2007- 2008: Livia Zarnescu
- 2007- 2008: Jessica Bernier
- 2007- 2008: Sarae Beal (Hatch)
- 2007- 2008: Stacia Davis
- 2007- 2008: Leann Thyng
- 2007- 2008: Liz Uribe
- 2007- 2008: Mitch Wilson
- 2006- 2007: Ivan Barrientos
- 2006- 2007: Peter Gross
- 2006- 2007: Peter Manning
- 2006- 2007: Christopher McMurdie
- 2006- 2007: John Pate
- 2005- 2006: Samuel Alexander
- 2005- 2006: Aaron Bennett
- 2005- 2006: Ajit Divakaruni
- 2005- 2006: Alan C. Wang
- 2004- 2005: Matthew Green
- 2004- 2005: Megan Wilson
- 2003- 2004: Christopher Elofson
- 2002- 2003: Laura Baker
- 2002- 2003: David Brown
- 2002- 2003: Ed Carter
- 2002- 2003: Michael Henry
- 2002- 2003: Becket Hui
- 2002- 2003: Robert Jenkins
- 2002- 2003: Noah Snavely
- 2002- 2003: Michael Stepp
- 2002- 2003: Anne White
- 2002- 2003: David Woods
- 1997- 1998: Melissa Bjelland
Goodwin (Elaine and Glenn) Scholarship Award
Selected by the UGC. For students majoring in Mathematics. Must be Arizona resident: Generous contributions were made to establish this scholarship by family and friends of the Goodwins. Elaine was a children's librarian in Tucson and Glen was a former NASA scientist and innovator in heat transfer research. They both shared a love of mathematics, a love of life, and a true love for each other.
- 2008- 2009: Monica Kapp
- 2008- 2009: Jasmin Uribe
- 2007- 2008: Monica Kapp
- 2007- 2008: Lizette Ortega
- 2007- 2008: Jasmin Uribe
Jackson (Durward P. and Alice) Award
Selected by the UGC. For students majoring in Mathematics. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be Pell Grant eligible: Dr. Durward Jackson received his BS in Aerospace Engineering in 1964 from The University of Arizona, and subsequently earned a Master of Engineering Administration from the University of Utah and his Ph.D. in Executive Management from the Claremont Graduate University.
- 2005- 2006: Pavla Senkyrikova
- 2005- 2006: Dorian Smith
- 2003- 2004: Pavla Senkyrikova
- 2002- 2003: Doug Owen
- 2002- 2003: Jennifer Talley
- 2002- 2003: Mike Urbancic
Math Ed Scholarship Award
The Mathematics Educations Scholarships were awarded to support and encourage mathematics majors to become secondary education mathematics teachers. This award is no longer being offered. The following students are former award recipients.
- 2006- 2007: Kimberly Gray
- 2006- 2007: Sarae Beal (Hatch)
- 2006- 2007: Stacia Davis
- 2006- 2007: Leann Thyng
- 2005- 2006: Wahid Belfadil
- 2005- 2006: David Berry
- 2005- 2006: Stacia Davis
- 2005- 2006: Sarae Beal (Hatch)
- 2005- 2006: Nicolai Boysen
- 2005- 2006: Beverly Cooper
- 2005- 2006: Rebecca Frost
- 2005- 2006: Kimberly Gray
- 2005- 2006: Samuel Olderbak
- 2005- 2006: John Pate
- 2004- 2005: Lydia Larochelle
- 2004- 2005: Sara Blight
- 2004- 2005: Allison Gibbons
- 2004- 2005: Andrew K. Kleinman
- 2004- 2005: Steven Martinez
- 2004- 2005: Heather Skinner
- 2004- 2005: Therron Todacheenie
- 2004- 2005: Robert Brummett
- 2004- 2005: Malisa Carino
- 2004- 2005: Caren Childers
- 2004- 2005: Sara Hales
- 2004- 2005: John Pate
- 2004- 2005: Esther Wong