Topic: Mathematics
Student earns scholarship for commitment to global engagement
Senior Mahmood Khan’s insights on the value of international education earned him first place in the LewerMark “Make Your Mark” scholarship program.
Khan, a computer science and mathematics major, was born in Afghanistan, but he moved to Pakistan with his family in 1992 after the fall of the Soviet-backed regime. In his scholarship entry, Khan described the experience of living as a refugee and observing his parents break down barriers between the Afghan and Pakistani communities through education.
Khan’s devotion to education inspired him to study languages and computers, and eventually earned him a position with Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian aid organization based in Portland. After traveling widely as a field system administrator for Mercy Corps, Khan decided to pursue a college education.
At Lewis & Clark, Khan has continued his study of technology, while still working part-time for Mercy Corps.
“Because of his extensive international education, talents and skills, life experiences, international perspectives, and passionate commitment to help others, Mahmood will most certainly make a difference in our world,” said Carolyn Locke, administrative coordinator for the International Students and Scholars Office and Khan’s sponsor for the scholarship competition.
Khan plans to pursue a post-graduate degree in computer science and mathematics, with the ultimate goal of integrating his studies and his relief work to increase awareness of global humanitarian need.
“I believe that my study in those fields will help me prepare for my goal of teaching and promoting the use of technology in poor countries in more creative and affordable ways,” he wrote. “I hope that one day I will be able to use technology to make more people aware of the extreme hardships that exist in our world and also to make it more accessible and easier for those willing to help to reach those in need.”
Assistant Professor of Mathematics receives junior faculty fellowship
Naiomi Cameron, Assistant Professor of Mathematics:
Cameron received a Career Enhancement Fellowship for Junior Faculty from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Cameron’s fellowship will allow her to take one year,
starting in June 2009, to pursue her scholarly research and writing, travel to academic conferences and connect with a network of Career Enhancement Fellows and Mentors.
Cameron said the fellowship benefits her personally as well as her students. She pointed out that this will afford her time and resources to further her research, enrich her teaching, and engage in the mathematical community at Lewis & Clark.
Professor Nagel participates in math and democracy symposium
Nancy Nagel, professor of education:
Nagel participated in an international symposium organized by the Institute for Democracy from Mathematics (Oxford) at Windsor Castle in January. The goal of the symposium was to examine the connection between mathematics teaching and democratic education. Thirty professors and ambassadors, who represented 11 countries, discussed the problem of the high expectations held for those who excel in mathematics and how this results in lesser expectations for all other students. Presentations at the symposium posed that the most appropriate key to change is through the teaching of mathematics. Implementing Socratic methods of discussion were suggested as one model to encourage mathematical communication and learning. The symposium was sponsored by the Qatar Foundation.
“I found it highly interesting to listen to presentations and discuss mathematics education with faculty, ambassadors, and the educational representatives for the Prince of Jordan and for the Prince of Wales,” Nagel said. “Discussions with participants from nine countries made it clear that there is widespread concern about mathematics education and of the need to collaborate on successful educational models to help inform each other and better prepare all students.”
Junior selected for Women in Mathematics summer program
Kelsey Neussl, a junior mathematics major, was selected to participate in the George Washington University Summer Program for Women in Mathematics. The award includes travel, room and board, and a stipend. Neussl will attend a five-week program for 16 mathematically talented undergraduate women contemplating graduate study in the mathematical sciences.
Assistant Professor Allen presents at Math and Science conference in Washington D.C.
Kasi Allen, assistant professor of education:
In January, Allen gave a presentation titled “Umbrella Partnerships: How the MSP Investment Can Build Enduring Capacity for the Ongoing Improvement of Math and Science Education” at the NSF Math Science Partnership Learning Network Conference in Washington D.C. The presentation was based on Allen’s work with the Appalachian Mathematics Science Partnership (AMSP) and Inverness Research, who work towards improving K-16 math and science education in some of our nation’s most impoverished countries.
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