Kenneth I. Gross is the 2007 Distinguished Teacher Winner

The Northeastern Section is proud to announce that Kenneth I. Gross, University of Vermont, is the winner of this year’s NES/MAA Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

The Distinguished Teaching Award Committee had the challenge of selecting this year’s winner from among the strong field of nominations. When reviewing Ken Gross’ nomination, we were impressed by his commitment to mathematics education of high school students through the Vermont High School Summer Enrichment Institute and of elementary and middle school teachers through the Vermont Mathematics Initiative and the Center for Mathematics Achievement at Lesley College. Examples of his incredible dedication to students and to education include his teaching extra courses in a summer program for minority freshman students and continuing as their advisor during the academic year all without remuneration, substitute teaching at Walter Johnson High School without remuneration and organizing their first Math Day, organizing and teaching “Gateways to Mathematics”, a course for adult learners, donating his salary to a scholarship fund, co-founding a week-long summer enrichment program for high school mathematics students aimed at girls and rural Vermonters, and founding the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, a Master’s program designed to train K-6 teachers to act as mathematics leaders in their schools/districts. Students site his encouragement, his taking an interest in them, his encouragement of and support for women studying mathematics, his mentoring all students, whether his advisees or not, his giving of himself, and his dedication as a teacher and as a mentor as being key elements in their success as well as his being a major influence on their “desire and decision to go to graduate school”.

Thomas Pietraho, Bowdoin College, describes Ken’s support and encouragement from their initial meeting at the awards ceremony for the UVM Prize Examination in Mathematics when he was a student at Burlington High School. “Dr. Gross approached me and encouraged me to visit his office to discuss my educational plans. I was amazed that the chairman of the Mathematics Department was willing to talk to me, a mere high school student. The following spring, I wanted to take a mathematics class at the University taught by Ken Gross, but unfortunately, it was scheduled at an inconvenient time. Without hesitation, Dr. Gross offered to teach me independently. During our weekly meetings, he realized I aspired to a career in mathematics and he encouraged me to apply to a program designed to expose students to actual research mathematics. He knew that only through such an experience I would be able to affirm my ambitions. The advice he offered me throughout high school proved instrumental in forming my college decision and career goals.”

Thomas continues to describe Ken’s interaction with students. “Throughout the many years that I have known Ken Gross, I have come to realize that he approaches all students with a similar enthusiasm and dedication. As one of the organizers of the UVM Summer Enrichment Institute in Mathematics, Ken Gross meets high school student from throughout the state. During the span of the Institute, I have observed Dr. Gross approach each of the students and discuss their future plans, offering his advice and resources. He truly enjoys helping students and is committed to his vocation. Professor Ken Gross has had a profound influence on my life, as he guided me from a high school student to an aspiring mathematician. He shares his advice and resources with students from the University of Vermont, as well as from its community. To me, and to uncountably many others, Ken Gross has been a teacher, a mentor, and a friend.”

Debra Carney, University of Denver, extols his encouragement of female students. “One sometimes hears stories of women who are discouraged from pursuing mathematics, but this was definitely not the case with Dr. Gross. Before I had even taken a class with him, he was encouraging, supportive, and respectful towards me as a person and as a mathematician. He took upon himself the roll of surrogate advisor to me even though I had a different advisor on paper. On one occasion, I can remember a fellow student telling me how she was doing her calculus homework in the library and this man (Dr. Gross) she had never met before approached her and asked her how her homework was going and how she liked her calculus class. This was just another example of what I saw on a daily basis from Dr. Gross. I saw his genuine interest in students and their appreciation for mathematics and his own love of learning and mathematics.”

Debra describes Dr. Gross as a major influence on her desire and decision to go to graduate school. “After a few years of observing him interact with his students, I thought ‘I want to be like that’. When I began the graduate school search, Dr. Gross was once again there to help. He offered advice about schools and helped me come up with a short list of places to consider. He also authorized funding for me to attend a national conference to allow me some exposure to the mathematics world. In retrospect, I can see he was doing all he could to prepare me for my future as a mathematician. Dr. Gross’ support and guidance did not stop upon my graduation from UVM in 1991. I especially remember the words of encouragement he gave me during my difficult first year of graduate school. We exchanged several emails over my struggles with my classes and my doubts about my own abilities. He encouraged me and helped me to feel more confident about myself. Furthermore, he continued to provide support whenever I needed it as I worked to complete my PhD. Without a doubt, I know that if I contacted him today he would still be there for support and advice.”

Debra concludes by describing Ken’s overall affect on her life from college to graduate school and beyond. “Dr. Gross is the main reason my experience at UVM was so positive. He made me feel like I belonged in a place where it was easy to get lost in the crowd. He helped give me confidence that I could take into the future. I consider Dr. Gross a friend, a mentor, and a scholar, and I cannot say thank you enough for everything that he has done for me. I would not be where I am today without his support and guidance. I cannot think of a professor more deserving of an MAA teaching award than Dr. Gross.”

We applaud Ken Gross for his service to the mathematics community and his commitment to mathematics education, for his mentoring of students, for his sharing his love of mathematics with students and inspiring them to learn and to grow as mathematicians and as individuals.