Our department gives students opportunities to be recognized nationally and locally for their achievements. We take part in national competitions and we are a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon national mathematics honor society. We also give the Carsrud award to our best senior math major, and awards to our underclassmen in math classes.
Putnam Mathematics Competition
The Putnam Mathematical Competition is the preeminent mathematics contest for undergraduate college students in the United States and Canada. Our team of Gonzaga students meets with a faculty advisor to train for the competition by answering past Putnum questions. Then, in early December, the team spends a weekend competing against teams from all over North America by working on twelve very challenging Putnum math questions. If you are interested in taking part in this competition, contact the team coach, Dr. Eric Hogle.
Pi Mu Epsilon
"Pi Mu Epsilon is a national mathematics honor society open to all full-time students who have taken at least two years of college mathematics courses and maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in all math courses. Gonzaga hosts an active chapter of PME. Our faculty liaison are Rick Cangelosi and Shannon Overbay." Learn more about Pi Mu Epslion.
Mathematics Department Awards
Gonzaga's Mathematics Department issues four separate student awards each year.
2023-2024 Award Recipients:
Carsrud Award: Jessica Childress
Outstanding Junior in Mathematics Award: Lucas Brandt, Zoe Erpelding, and Drew Swanson Hollinger
Underclassman Award:Chris Woll and Justin Yi
Service Award: Brendan Moskalik
Past Award Recipients
An award given to a graduating senior mathematics major. The recipient of the Carsrud award should be an outstanding mathematics student. Members of the department nominate students for this award, and then the departmental awards committee chooses a winner.
An award given to exceptional junior mathematics majors. Members of the department nominate students for this award, and then the awards committee chooses a winner. Students are chosen for this award based upon ability and effort. We also look for students who personify the ideals of our discipline.
An award given to the most promising freshman or sophomore in a mathematics class. The winner is not necessarily a mathematics major. Members of the department nominate students for this award. The nominees are invited to take a mathematics test at a specified time. The nominee with the highest exam score receives the award.
Awarded to a student who has done outstanding volunteer work either within the GU community or in the larger Spokane community on projects that promote academic excellence, particularly in the area of mathematics. Members of the department nominate students for this award, and then the awards committee chooses a winner.