KU News Release

KU math department honors students, faculty at 50th annual spring banquet

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LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Mathematics recognized more than 40 undergraduate and graduate students for outstanding academic and teaching achievements at its 50th annual spring honors banquet at the Adams Alumni Center.

The department announced recipients of more than $77,000 in awards and scholarships. Funds for the awards and scholarships are administered through KU Endowment.

Brian Moehring, Olathe senior, earned a cash award of $100 from the mathematics department for receiving the highest score by a KU student in the national William Lowell Putnam Competition, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The mathematics competition is open to all regularly enrolled undergraduates in colleges in the United States and Canada.

Moehring, Rachel Debes, Hays junior, and Nicholas Tobaben, Tecumseh junior, received $100 each as members of the department’s first-place team in the Kansas Collegiate Math Competition held in conjunction with the Kansas Section Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America. Moehring received an additional $100 for placing third overall in the competition.

Six winners in KU’s 25th annual mathematics prize competition also received cash awards. In junior-level competition, Tobaben and Bowe Neuenschwander, Hoxie sophomore, each received $300 as first-place-tie winners, and Debes received $100 for placing third. Senior-level winners and their awards were Moehring, $450 for first place; Daniel Hogan, Leawood senior, $200 for second; and Bridget Franklin, Topeka senior, $150 for third.

Bryan Gurss, Tonganoxie senior, and Ashley Kay, Leawood senior, received certificates from the Kansas Algebra Program for their outstanding contributions to teaching, tutoring and extra duties.

KU’s math department annually recognizes outstanding graduate students with the Florence Black Excellence in Teaching Award and the John Bunce Memorial Award.

Lynne Yengulalp, Lawrence doctoral student, received both the $1,000 Florence Black Excellence in Teaching Award and the $500 John Bunce award. The Florence Black award was established in memory of a faculty member who served from 1918 to 1960. The Bunce award commemorates a professor who served from 1970 to 1991.

The Mathematics Graduate Students Association presented the G. Baley Price Award for Excellence in Teaching to Bill Paschke, professor of mathematics.

Saul Stahl, professor of mathematics, received the $5,000 Max Wells Teaching Award in recognition of outstanding or exemplary teaching in the field of mathematics by a KU mathematics department faculty member.

Award and scholarship winners are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high schools (when available) and award or scholarship. Individuals with double majors and several awards are listed multiple times.

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