Hear from author and mathematician Francis Su on Friday, April 21

Francis Su, the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, will discuss his new book, Mathematics for Human Flourishing, on Friday, April 21 from 4 -5 p.m. in the Sciences Center Auditorium.

"Maybe the way for you to see yourself in mathematics is not for me to convince you that math is great or that math does lots of wonderful things, but for me to show you that math is intimately tied to being human," said Su, who won the Euler Book Prize in 2021.

Su won the Halmos-Ford writing award in 2018 and was also president of the American Mathematical Association of America in 2013. He graduated with his doctorate degree from Harvard University in 1995.

Plainsman's Choice 2023 Best Professor: Matt Kearley

For the second consecutive year, the Plainsman’s Choice award for Best Professor goes to Matt Kearley, an instructor and coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences. Kearley won the honor with 35.3% of the vote, edging out Ric Smith, Terri Knight and Jim McKelly.

As one of the rare professors who earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Auburn, Kearley had an extra bit of appreciation for the recognition from students, who he claimed are “fantastic” and make his job the “best job in the world.”

25th Anniversary Summer Bridge Program Alumni Spotlight: How the Bridge program helped Purdue veterinary student Naja Williams set goals for academic success

A Birmingham native, Naja Williams graduated from Ramsay High School before heading to the Plains as a college freshman in 2017. The summer before starting her freshman year at Auburn University, Williams participated in a four-week academic and social support program in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM, called STEM Summer Bridge.

Established in 1997, STEM Summer Bridge gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to enhance their science and math skills, develop and improve critical and analytical thinking skills, engage in professional development and career awareness activities, and network and build meaningful relationships with COSAM faculty, staff and fellow students as well as campus partners.

Williams found Summer Bridge to be a huge benefit as she started her first year as an undergraduate, recalling that the most helpful parts of the program were the developmental aspects of writing a personal statement and making goals for the future. Completing those tasks early on helped her later when applying for vet school.

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