Randolph-Macon Mathematicians Receive
Distinguished Writing Award

Ashland , VA — Randolph-Macon College President, Robert R. Lindgren, announces that two members of the Department of Mathematics were recently recognized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Adrian Rice and Eve Torrence, two outstanding math professors at Randolph-Macon College (R-MC) were recognized with a Trevor Evans Award at the Summer MathFest in San Jose, California. The awards, consisting of a citation and cash prize, are presented by the MAA to authors of exceptional articles that are accessible to undergraduates and published in Math Horizons .

“Randolph-Macon strives for those moments of connection between our faculty and students. This award celebrates just such a connection through the creative work of these two exceptional professors.” said Lindgren. “We salute them for their dedication and achievement.”

Rice and Torrence received this prestigious award in recognition of their article, “Lewis Carroll’s Condensation Method for Evaluating Determinants,” Math Horizons , November 2006. As noted in the citation…

“This delightful article ties mathematics to poetry, as Adrian Rice and Eve Torrence explore a technique for computing determinants called “condensation.” This method was developed by the Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, perhaps better known by his pseudonym Lewis Carroll. The authors provided clear examples, and their explanation for why condensation works is well-written and accessible to students. The article encourages readers to use the technique in the classroom, and we can all benefit from Lewis Carroll’s words of advice, “Why,” said the Dodo, “the best way to explain it is to do it.”

Rice said, “This is a great honor not only for Eve and me, but also for Randolph-Macon College, which provides an environment in which colleagues can collaborate so fruitfully.”

“I was surprised to be the only woman to receive an award from the MAA this year,” said Torrence. “I hope that this prestigious award will encourage more young women to pursue excellence in the field of mathematics at Randolph-Macon College.”

The Mathematical Association of America is the world’s largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. The MAA has 27,000 members who participate in a variety of activities that foster mathematics education, professional development, student involvement, and public policy.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Lauranzon at 752-7317 or alauranz@rmc.edu.