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Alder Award Session Abstracts

Friday, August 5, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hayes

The MAA established the Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member to honor beginning college or university faculty members whose teaching has been extraordinarily successful and whose effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics is shown to have influence beyond their own classrooms. Each year, at most three college or university teachers are honored with this national award. The awardees are invited to make a presentation in this session. The session is moderated by Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, MAA President.

Do You: How Mathematics + Mentoring + Passion = Opportunities

2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Dandrielle Lewis, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Becoming a mathematics professor was not my lifelong dream, but experiences along life’s journey changed my perspective. Mathematics, effective mentoring, and my passion to excel provided “the ticket” to sit at a table where I create opportunities for students, underrepresented populations, and women in STEM. In this talk, I will discuss my journey, how it influenced my teaching and involvement in student-centered projects and research, and why making a lifelong impact on students is important to me.

Two Human Faces of Mathematics: Students and Medicine

3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Jana Gevertz, College of New Jersey

As a mathematical biologist who works to better understand cancer dynamics, I often dream of the day that my mathematical models will be used by clinicians to help prolong or save the lives of patients suffering with cancer. Yet I accept that as hard as I will continue to work, it is a long shot that my research will vastly impact humanity by altering the landscape of cancer treatment. A more achievable goal, however, is to use my mathematics classroom and my interaction with students as a way to have a positive impact on as many individuals as possible. It is my belief, and this belief is beginning to get research support, that when a teacher exhibits genuine interest in their students’ success and lives, the impact on students’ motivation and learning can be significant. Admittedly, what I can accomplish in the classroom is of a different scale than my lofty goal of improving cancer care. That said, having a positive impact on the motivation, growth, and content knowledge of as many students that cross my path as possible represents another face in how mathematics can be used to impact the lives of others.

Modeling Across the Curriculum

3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Benjamin Galluzzo, Shippensburg University

Numbers matter. Numerically based statements frequently serve as the primary justification for positions on provocative topics of general interest such as politics, economics or sustainability. In this talk, we’ll investigate how the math modeling process provides students, of all levels and mathematical backgrounds, with an accessible tool for deconstructing numbers they encounter on a daily basis. In particular, we’ll discuss examples that motivate student engagement in curricular mathematics.

Year: 
2016