Awards ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements of students in ASU School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Scholarship and Awards Ceremony auditorium

The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences hosted their annual Scholarship and Awards Ceremony in the Sun Devil Welcome Center auditorium.

By Rhonda Olson |
May 03, 2017

The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences recently hosted its annual Scholarship and Awards Ceremony celebrating outstanding students, faculty and staff at the Sun Devil Welcome Center auditorium on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Eight graduate students received awards, and 19 undergraduates earned scholarships or awards in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

This year’s event welcomed one new award for graduate students. The Dennis Young Graduate and Early Scholar Statistics Award is endowed by statistics Professor Emeritus Dennis Young, faculty, alumni, and friends, and was awarded to graduate student Abigael Nachtsheim.

This scholarship was created to support the legacy of Dennis Young, who was dedicated to graduate education, advising more than 30 master's and PhD students in statistics during his 35 years at ASU. He was a pioneer in the development of the MS and PhD degrees in statistics and served on numerous graduate student research committees from many disciplines. He is a long-standing active member of the American Statistical Association – Arizona Chapter and a fellow of the ASA.

Two new scholarships for undergraduates were also awarded for the first time. The Optumas Actuarial Science Scholarship is endowed by founder and managing director Steve Schramm. Senior actuary Tim Doyle and actuarial consultant Joe Costa were in attendance to see Bo Swoverland receive the inaugural award.

Optumas is a consulting firm that brings about health care reform from not only the perspective of who receives health care but also how people receive care. Through this scholarship, Optumas will help nurture the best and brightest ASU actuarial science scholars to positively impact this growing and necessary field.

The second new undergradute scholarship is the W.R. Berkley/Nautilus Insurance Analytics Scholarship, endowed by the W.R. Berkley Corporation Charitable Foundation. Nautilus is a member company of W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 company recognized as one of the most respected names in the property and casualty insurance industry.

With this scholarship Nautilus seeks to recognize a scholar that exhibits strong analytical thinking skills, and will continue to utilize these skills in their academic and professional work. President and CEO Tom Kuzma and vice president of actuarial and data analysis Brent Carr were in the audience to applaud actuarial science student Brendan Sturm for receiving this first-time award.

The top two undergraduates from the school’s 850 mathematics majors were also recognized. Alexandra Porter received the Charles Wexler Mathematics Prize, presented each year to the outstanding undergraduate senior mathematics major. The student is selected by an awards committee based on faculty nominations. Ryan Theisen was chosen as the spring 2017 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Medalist for both mathematics and economics.

Several faculty members received teaching honors. Carl Gardner received the Charles Wexler Teaching Award, presented each year to an outstanding teacher of undergraduate mathematics. The winner is selected from nominations made by undergraduate students with majors in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Katie Kolossa and Scott Surgent were recognized with Outstanding Instruction and Service Awards.

The school’s outstanding staff member award was renamed in memory of Michelle Howe, who worked for the school for 16 years, most recently in student engagement and advising. Howe’s father and uncle, James Rodgers and David Rodgers, were in attendance to see Margaret Cole receive the Michelle Howe Staff Award for Outstanding Service.

These scholarships and awards not only recognize the hard work and dedication of the recipients, but also provide much needed financial support.

“Furthering my education has always been important to me and my family, but it is not without its struggles. The financial hurdle that college poses is a tough one to jump,” said Desirae Crespo, recipient of the André Levard Mackey Scholarship. “This scholarship will make it easier for me to focus on my studies by not having to stress and worry as much about tuition.”

The awards also provide a boost of confidence as students move on in their academic careers.

“Next year I will start my PhD in computer science at Stanford, and this is encouragement that I can be successful doing mathematics as part of my research in graduate school and into my career,” said Alexandra Porter, recipient of the Charles Wexler Mathematics Prize. “I also want to thank the faculty and staff in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences here at ASU for the impact the program has had on me.”

Abigael Nachtsheim (center) receives the inaugural Dennis Young Graduate and Early Scholar Statistics Award from Associate Professor Mark Reiser (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Abigael Nachtsheim with Dennis Young, Professor Emeritus of Statistics.
Krysten Pampel (center) receives the Floyd L. Downs Teaching of Mathematics Fellowship Award from her adviser, Associate Professor Carla van de Sande (right), and school Director Al Boggess.
Floyd Downs and Elizabeth Lenci-Downs started the Floyd L. Downs Teaching of Mathematics Fellowship Award to recognize a graduate student who is preparing to become a highly qualified mathematics teacher in a manner that enhances understanding, reasoning ability and achievement.
Neil Hatfield (center) receives the Robert G. Maule Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Award and the GPSA Teaching Excellence Award from Professor Pat Thompson (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Robert Buscaglia (center) receives the Graduate and Professional Students Assocation Teaching Excellence Award from Professor Pat Thompson (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Ashley Duncan (center) receives the Graduate and Professional Students Assocation Teaching Excellence Award from Professor Pat Thompson (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Bo Swoverland (center) receives the inaugural Optumas Actuarial Science Scholarship from Professor of Practice John Zicarelli (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Optumas Senior Actuary Tim Doyle and Actuarial Consultant Joe Costa were in attendance to see Bo Swoverland receive the inaugural Optumas Actuarial Science Scholarship. The award honors his academic excellence, ongoing commitment to the actuarial profession, and high level of dedication to the Gamma Iota Sigma Kappa chapter and the actuarial science program at Arizona State University.
Brendan Sturm (center) receives the inaugural W.R. Berkley/Nautilus Insurance Analytics Scholarship from Professor Emeritus Matt Hassett (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Nautilus Vice President of Actuarial and Data Analysis Brent Carr (third from left) and President and CEO Tom Kuzma (fourth from left) were in the audience to applaud actuarial science student Brendan Sturm for receiving the inaugural W.R. Berkley/Nautilus Insurance Analytics Scholarship. The award recognizes a student with strong analytical thinking skills.
Ricky Pham (right) accepts the Actuarial Faculty Pioneers Scholarship from school Director Al Boggess. The award recognizes a student with a high level of academic excellence, and dedication to the Gamma Iota Sigma Kappa chapter and the actuarial science program at ASU.
Alex Kirvan (center) receives the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Actuarial Scholarship from Professor Emeritus Matt Hassett (right) and school Director Al Boggess. The award honors a student with a high level of academic excellence and successful completion of actuarial exams, as well as a strong interest in the actuarial profession.
Zhihan Jennifer Zhang (center) accepts the Nationwide E&S/Specialty Actuarial Science Scholarship from Professor of Practice Jelena Milovanovic (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Nationwide Vice President Ken Levine (center) and his wife, Sarah (right), smile as they watch Zhihan Jennifer Zhang receive the Nationwide E&S/Specialty Actuarial Science Scholarship, which honors academic excellence, successful completion of actuarial exams, and strong interest in database management systems.
James Altman (center) receives the Robert G. Maule Actuarial Excellence Scholarship from Professor Emeritus Matt Hassett (right) and school Director Al Boggess. The award honors a student with a high level of academic excellence and successful completion of actuarial exams, as well as strong interest in the actuarial profession.
Garrett Deimund (right) receives the Actuarial Science Scholarship from school Director Al Boggess. The award honors a student for their potential in the area of mathematics and statistics, and encourages them to pursue a career in the actuarial field.
(From left) Tom Lorig, Maja Stefanovic, Hailey Walters, Zona Lorig. The Tom and Zona Lorig Scholarship honors students dedicated to become quantitatively trained, critical for society as technology becomes more data-driven. Because scholarship support and a strong work ethic were critical to their access to higher education, the Lorigs want to help students who face similar challenges.
J.D. House (third from left) scored the second-highest ASU point total in the annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Christian Boden (second from left) scored third-highest. Not pictured was Sebastian Scouras, who earned the highest score by an ASU student. They are recognized by Senior Lecturer Igor Fulman (right) and school Director Al Boggess (left).
Huifeng Sun (center) accepts the Ioana Elise Hociota!!! Memorial Mathematics Scholarship from ASU adjunct and Mesa Community College faculty member Andrew Holycross (right) and school Director Al Boggess for her exemplary academic performance and her passion for mathematics.
Jessica Campos (center) receives the Joaquin Bustoz Memorial Mathematics Scholarship from Rebecca Perlin (right) and school Director Al Boggess. The award honors academic excellence in mathematics and a student's successful completion and contributions to the ASU Joaquin Bustoz Math-Science Honors Program.
Auliya Gurzenda (center) receives the John Olson Scholarship from President's Professor Matthias Kawski (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
June Olson (center left) and Zona Lorig (center right) look on as Auliya Gurzenda receives the John Olson Scholarship. The award honors a student's academic excellence and provides them the opportunity to further their interest in the fields of mathematics and statistics.
Desirae Crespo (center) accepts the André Levard Mackey Scholarship from Principal Lecturer Katie Kolossa (right) and school Director Al Boggess. The award recognizes a student's outstanding achievements in the study of mathematics, their leadership potential, and their expressed interest in computers and an appreciation of their role in contemporary mathematics.
Scott Mahan (center) accepts the Jack H. Hawes Memorial Mathematics Research Scholarship from Professor Steven Kaliszewski (right) and school Director Al Boggess. The award will support Mahan's proposed research project about compressive signal processing under the guidance of Kaliszewski.
Ryan Theisen (center) receives the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Medal from Assistant Professor Sebastien Motsch (right) and school Director Al Boggess. Theisen was also chosen by the Department of Economics as its spring Dean's Medalist. He will have the honor to carry each school's banner during convocation ceremonies next week.
Alexandra Porter (center) receives the Charles Wexler Mathematics Prize, the highest honor for an undergraduate math major, from President's Professor Matthias Kawski (right) and school Director Al Boggess.
Carl Gardner receives the Charles Wexler Teaching Award from school Director Al Boggess. The award is presented each year to an outstanding teacher of undergraduate mathematics. The winner is selected from nominations made by undergraduate students with majors in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.
Kaite Kolossa receives the Outstanding Instruction and Service Award from school Director Al Boggess.
Scott Surgent receives the Outstanding Instruction and Service Award from school Director Al Boggess.
Margaret Cole receives the Michelle Howe Staff Award for Outstanding Service from school Director Al Boggess.
The school’s outstanding staff member award was renamed in memory of Michelle Howe, who worked for the school for 16 years, most recently in student engagement and advising. Howe’s father and uncle, James Rodgers (left) and David Rodgers, were in attendance to see Margaret Cole receive the Michelle Howe Staff Award for Outstanding Service.
Members of the community provide generous support to ASU's actuarial science program, including (from left) John Zicarelli, Nationwide Vice President Ken Levine, Jelena Milovanovic, Nautilus Vice President of Actuarial and Data Analysis Brent Carr, Nautilus President and CEO Tom Kuzma and graduating senior Steven Locke.

Full list of awards and scholarships:

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS

Abigael Nachtsheim
Dennis Young Graduate and Early Scholar Statistics Award
Endowed by Dennis Young, family, friends and colleagues

Krysten Pampel
Floyd L. Downs Teaching of Mathematics Fellowship Award
Endowed by Floyd Downs and Elizabeth Lenci-Downs

Paloma Gutierrez Castillo
Graduate Student Research Award
Supported by the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Neil Hatfield
Robert G. Maule Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Award
Endowed by Elaine Maule

Robert Buscaglia
Erika David
Ashley Duncan
Kristin Frank
Neil Hatfield
GPSA Teaching Excellence Awards

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Bo Swoverland
Optumas Actuarial Science Scholarship
Endowed by Optumas

Brendan Sturm
W.R. Berkley/Nautilus Insurance Analytics Scholarship
Endowed by W.R. Berkley Corporation Charitable Foundation

Ricky Pham
Actuarial Faculty Pioneers Scholarship
Endowed by Al & May Boggess, Matt Hassett, Jelena Milovanovic

Alex Kirvan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Actuarial Science Scholarship
Endowed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Zhihan Jennifer Zhang
Nationwide E&S/Specialty Actuarial Science Scholarship
Endowed by Nationwide

James Altman
Robert G. Maule Actuarial Excellence Scholarship
Endowed by Elaine Maule

Garrett Deimund
Actuarial Science Scholarship
Endowed by John Zicarelli

Maja Stefanovic
Hailey Walters
Tom and Zona Lorig Scholarship
Endowed by Tom and Zona Lorig

Sebastian Scouras
J.D. House
Christian Boden
William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition — ASU Scorers

Huifeng Sun
Ioana Elise Hociota!!! Memorial Mathematics Scholarship
Endowed by Andrew Holycross, family and friends

Jessica Campos
Joaquin Bustoz Memorial Mathematics Scholarship
Endowed by the Bustoz family, friends and colleagues

Auliya Gurzenda
John Olson Scholarship
Endowed by June Olson

Desirae Crespo
André Levard Mackey Scholarship
Endowed by Harold and Dorothy Mackey, Jr. and friends

Scott Mahan
Jack H. Hawes Memorial Mathematics Research Scholarship
Endowed by Sandra Baldwin

Ryan Theisen
Spring 2017 Dean’s Medal
Supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Alexandra Porter
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Charles Wexler Mathematics Prize
Endowed by Helen and Jonathan D. Wexler

FACULTY & STAFF RECOGNITION

Carl Gardner
Charles Wexler Teaching Award
Endowed by Helen and Jonathan D. Wexler

Katie Kolossa
Scott Surgent
Outstanding Instruction and Service Award
Supported by the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Margaret Cole
Michelle Howe Staff Award for Outstanding Service
Supported by the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

SUN DEVIL AWARDS FOR SERVICE

45 years
Hank Kuiper

35 years
John Quigg

30 years
Rosemary Renaut

25 years
Nancy Childress

20 years
Don Jones

15 years
Dongrin Kim
Firoz Firozzaman
Leslie Loy
Diane Richardson

10 years
Susanna Fishel