The U.S. government issued the call years ago: America needs more mathematicians—particularly African Americans, who are severely underrepresented in the fields of mathematics and science.
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Three of four history-making UM doctoral graduates are (from left) Carla Cotwright, Bryan Williams and Adrian Wilson. Not pictured is Joe Anderson. Two more African-American doctoral candidates—Stephine Keeton and Samuel Dolo—are slated for graduation in May 2007. That makes six African Americans expected to earn doctorates in mathematics in a span of roughly 12 months. |
Last May, UM made its resounding reply, awarding four African Americans with Ph.D. degrees in mathematics—a feat without precedent in the history of American academia. The history-making graduates are Joe Anderson of Rosedale; Carla Cotwright of Los Angeles; Brian Williams of Missouri City, Texas; and Adrian Wilson of Jackson.
The feat is quite literally unparalleled in academic history, said Don Cole, associate professor of mathematics and assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs.
“Many universities can’t say they’ve ever graduated four African-American doctorates in mathematics in their history,” Cole said. “For us to have four at one time is absolutely phenomenal. This event puts us on par with institutions such as Berkeley and Michigan.”
This level of production of African-American doctorates in mathematics is not an aberration. The department has previously awarded five Ph.D. degrees to African Americans: William White (1976), Betsy Tucker (1983), Donald Cole (1985), Daniel Hunt (1999) and Nolan McMurray (2003).
Furthermore, two more African American doctoral candidates—Stephine Keeton and Samuel Dolo—are slated for graduation in May 2007. That makes six African Americans expected to earn doctorates in mathematics in a span of roughly 12 months.
“This new generation of African-American students will no doubt have productive careers and will serve as models for other students to follow,” said Glenn Hopkins, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Cotwright said she expected the program to be difficult, but knew she had the support of her mathematics professors.
Tristan Denley, chair of the mathematics department, praised the faculty as well, citing the work of professor Gerard Buskes, in particular. In 2000, Buskes received a $400,000 federal education grant for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program, which financially assists minorities and women interested in pursuing doctoral work in mathematics.
“These funds, along with his fine work recruiting and supporting our graduate students, has had a transforming impact on our program,” Denley said.
The news keeps getting better. Denley said the university was recently notified that a new $500,000 GAANN grant has been approved.
As for life after graduation, Cotwright is a visiting assistant professor of mathematics at Wake Forest University; Williams accepted a position with Hampton University. Anderson also plans to teach mathematics on the college level, and Wilson is a visiting professor in the UM mathematics department.
“I am pleased that my accomplishments in mathematics draw attention to a field that needs not only more African Americans but Americans in general,” Wilson said. “Better math students make for better problem solvers, logical thinkers and enlightened citizens of the world.”
“That the success would be this strong is beyond my wildest dreams, and I am proud of each of these students,” Buskes said.