Newswise — The Mathematics Department at North Carolina State University has received the 2010 AMS Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department. Presented annually by the American Mathematical Society, the award recognizes a college or university mathematics department that has distinguished itself by undertaking an unusual or particularly effective program of value to the mathematics community, internally or in relation to the rest of society.
"This year's pool of nominations for the award was very strong, with many deserving departments, and it was a challenging decision to come down to a single awardee," said Steven Bleiler of Portland State University, who served as chair of the selection committee. "However, in the end the committee came to a full consensus that North Carolina State was 'first among equals'. NC State's particular combination of a strong commitment to outreach, well thought-out programs for students, and a long-standing dedication to diversity in the mathematics work force is singularly worthy of recognition and emulation by the broader mathematical community in these difficult times."
Blending Interdisciplinary and Foundational Research
One of the department's distinctive characteristics is its blend of interdisciplinary and foundational research in mathematics, which creates a vibrant atmosphere and strong ties to other areas of science and engineering as well as to industry and laboratories. The department has capitalized on this strength to launch extremely successful research-experience programs for students. At the undergraduate level, the department has two programs: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), which is one of the largest REUs in the nation, and REU+, aimed at students traditionally underrepresented in the mathematical sciences. There is also a counterpart program at the graduate level, which aims to get PhD students started doing research early on in their studies. As a result, graduate students in the department are having an easier time finding advisors and completing their degrees more quickly.
Students receiving degrees from the NCSU mathematics department have a variety of career options in academia, industry, government, and laboratories. At the graduate level, the department provides training in the basics of being a professional mathematician---how to write a research paper, how to give a lecture, how to apply for jobs, and the like. The professional development activities are useful not only for PhD students who embark on academic careers but also for the increasing number who take positions in industry or in laboratories. Graduate students also have opportunities to participate in off-campus internships at such institutions as Merck Pharmaceutical, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Harvard Medical School, MIT Lincoln Lab, Lawrence Livermore Lab, Boeing, the Hammer Institute, and Aerospace Corporation.
A Student-Centered Approach
The department cultivates a student-centered, open-door approach among its faculty, so that students feel included and welcomed---they are treated like young colleagues being guided into the profession. The department inculcates dedication to students through tangible rewards to faculty, such as salary increases, as well as through leadership by key faculty members. The department has successfully secured several large grants from the federal government that support its many programs.
The department has had special success in mentoring students traditionally underrepresented in mathematics. The percentage of female graduate students has steadily increased from its historic average of around 33 percent to its current level of 49 percent. In the last 10 years more than ten African-American students earned PhDs in the department. The department has also awarded PhDs to several students of Hispanic origin, as well as to two students of Native American origin. The picture is similarly impressive at the undergraduate level, where approximately one-quarter of the graduates come from underrepresented minorities. The department is also stepping into the national arena to increase diversity in the mathematical sciences: It recently led the formation of a national program of mathematical postdocs for underrepresented minority mathematicians.
A Department that Does it All
This is a department that manages to do it all---research in a broad range of areas, high-quality teaching and mentoring, strong ties to industry, and a welcoming environment for underrepresented groups. On many levels, the NCSU Department of Mathematics distinguishes itself as one of the nation's outstanding mathematics departments and is highly deserving of this award from the AMS.
The official announcement of the award, including the selection committee's citation, is available from the AMS Public Awareness Office and will appear in the May 2010 issue of the Notices of the AMS, at http://www.ams.org/notices.
Founded in 1888 to further mathematical research and scholarship, today the American Mathematical Society has more than 32,000 members. The Society fulfills its mission through programs and services that promote mathematical research and its uses, strengthen mathematical education, and foster awareness and appreciation of mathematics and its connections to other disciplines and to everyday life.
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