COSAM News Articles 2013 February Logan Chair celebrated with recognition dinner

Logan Chair celebrated with recognition dinner

Published: 02/01/2013

On Jan. 15, a dinner was held in recognition of Chris Rodger, the inaugural recipient of the Logan Chair, established by Don and Sandy Logan. Rodger is the associate dean for research and graduate studies for COSAM. The Logan Chair is designed to support superior faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who possess academic leadership in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and university and professional service, including outreach activities, within the department, with each category weighted equally. Additionally, the recipient of the Logan Chair is expected to work to strengthen and enhance mathematics, and serve as a positive role model for students and colleagues.

Rodger, who holds bachelor's and master’s degrees from the University of Sydney, Australia, and a doctorate from the University of Reading, England, has been at Auburn for more than 25 years and is the recipient of a wide range of awards and accolades, including: the 2006 Scharnagel Professorship for teaching, research and outreach; the 2008 Auburn University Outreach Award; and the Hall Medal, given by the Institute of Combinatorics and its Applications. He has also received numerous grants for his outreach work and was among the six principal investigators on a $9 million National Science Foundation grant for the program, “Transforming East Alabama Mathematics,” or “TEAM-Math.” The purpose of TEAM-Math was to improve mathematics education in 14 local and regional school districts.

As associate dean for research and graduate studies, Rodger leads continuing efforts to assist faculty on grant and contract opportunities and proposal development, and he maintains grant and contract records for the college. He also promotes and develops multidisciplinary research initiatives across Auburn’s campus. He was selected to be the Logan Endowed Chair of Mathematics by a committee appointed by Interim Dean Savrda, and he will hold the distinction for five or more years, or as determined by the dean.

Don Logan and his wife, Sandy, provided the Logan Endowed Chair in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Don graduatedmagna cum laude from Auburn University with a degree in mathematics in 1966. His achievements were recognized in 1997 with an honorary doctorate from Auburn and in 2004 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Auburn Alumni Association. Some of his career highlights include being named president of Oxmoor House, the book publishing division, and becoming chairman and chief executive officer of Southern Progress, which was later acquired by Time Inc. As chairman of Time Warner’s Media & Communications Group he oversaw America Online, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable and the Time Warner Book Group. He retired in 2006. Sandy is from Decatur, Ala., and serves on the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Advisory Board. She was also the visionary of an organization that promotes sciences and mathematics to women and girls, the Society of Women in Sciences and Mathematics. The COSAM-sponsored organization strives to inspire the next generation of women by exposing them to today’s female leaders and role models in sciences and mathematics. The Logans have two grown sons, Jeff and Stan, both of whom are graduates of Auburn University.