Student Opportunities-Department of Mathematics

Student Opportunities

Activities

Students can participate in exciting opportunities such as the ACU Undergraduate Research Creativity and Innovation Festival (URCI), where they can showcase their work and engage with the campus-wide academic community. We encourage students to attend and present at regional conferences like the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) and AMS (American Mathematical Society) meetings, as well as MAA MathFest held each August. Students are also made aware of summer internship, REU, and research opportunities.

Our department hosts a Problem of the Week competition, where students can challenge themselves with new problems each week. The National Putnam Mathematics Exam competition is held on the ACU campus each December, providing an exciting challenge for those who wish to test their mathematical skills on a national level. Additionally, students can participate in the Mathematics Bowl, a part of the MAA conference, allowing them to compete in a fun, team-based math competition.

Many of our students work in the department as graders, embedded tutors, teaching assistants, and lab assistants. If you are interested in working for the department, please contact us.

We are proud to partner with students to cultivate their academic and professional growth while fostering a strong sense of community in the department.

The events hosted by the Math Department have helped me learn more about my major and potential career goals, such as the talk with a data scientist. I have also made genuine friendships and met study buddies by attending events like the MAA conference with my fellow majors. Not only is it easy, but you can gain a lot from being involved in the Math Department.
Phoebe Galan, ’26
Applied Mathematics major

Departmental Scholarships

Scholarships

The department awards several mathematics scholarships to qualified upperclassmen each year. The scholarships are awarded during the spring semester for the following academic year. To be eligible, you must be a mathematics, actuarial science or mathematics teaching major and have earned at least 60 credit hours by the start of the fall semester of the award year. Selection is based upon evidence of ability and scholarship in mathematics or mathematics teaching and evidence of a commitment to the study and achievement in mathematics or mathematics teaching. Active participation in the department and service to the department and/or students is a main factor in determining awards. Some evidences of commitment include active membership in Mu Sigma, participation in mathematics contests and service to the department and/or students.

Departmental Awards

Awards

The Department of Mathematics honors students for their outstanding academic achievements, dedication to the field, and active participation in our community. These awards recognize those who go above and beyond in their studies and service. Below are the awards, along with their criteria, and a link to a list of past recipients.

Marcus E. Mullings Mathematics Award

Dr. Marcus E. Mullings was a member of the ACU faculty from 1935 to 1973 (38 years). Dr. Mullings developed the program in mathematics and continued the development of the program in physics during these years. From 1936 to 1966, he served as the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics. His dedication to mathematics, to Abilene Christian College, and to its students was an important building block for both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics as they exist today.

S.E. McReynolds, Jr. Preparation for Mathematics Teaching Award

Samuel E. McReynolds, Jr. taught mathematics at ACU from 1960–1998. He then continued as emeritus for several years. Mr. McReynolds was known as an excellent teacher. The most common question from former students who visited the department has been “Is Mr. McReynolds around today? I surely would like to visit with him. He was my favorite teacher.” Mr. McReynolds was always trying to do a better job in the classroom. He was both careful and conscientious, and he taught with integrity.

David K. Hughes Freshman Mathematics Award

Dr. David Hughes was a member of the ACU mathematics faculty from 1967 until his retirement from teaching in 2007. Although he has retired from teaching, he continues to serve as Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. On his application for a position at ACU he stated, “I am interested in Christian education, and I am particularly interested in doing what I can to help Christian college students to a good education.” During his 40 years at ACU, he provided quality mathematical courses. His courses were known to students as being challenging and rigorous. He mentored mathematics majors–especially freshmen–by tenderly consoling, counseling, and encouraging students in his office, in the halls, and around campus. He also mentored students by serving as the chair of the department from 1981 to 1987 and again from 1997 to 2005.

Actuarial Science Award

An actuary is a business professional who analyzes the financial consequences of risk. Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to study uncertain future events, especially those of concern to insurance and pension programs. They evaluate the likelihood of those events, design creative ways to reduce the likelihood and decrease the impact of adverse events that actually do occur. –Society of Actuaries
In fall 2003, the Department of Mathematics began offering a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science. A career as an actuary requires the successful completion of a long series of exams and courses: nine or more exams over a 6 to 10 year period, minimally, to reach the Fellowship status in one of the actuarial societies. The Department of Mathematics, along with the College of Business Administration, prepares students to pass the first two exams in this series, plus selected topics included on later exams. This Actuarial Science Award was established to recognize and honor students that have excelled in our program.