IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:

Office: 724.738.4854

Cell: 724.991.8302

                                                                                                                   gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Teaching plus mentoring adds up to award for SRU mathematics professor

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Richard Marchand, Slippery Rock University associate professor of mathematics, has received a Distinguished Faculty Mentor of Undergraduate Mathematics Students Award from the Allegheny Mountain Section of the Mathematical Association of America. The award honors a faculty member who makes significant contributions to the development of mathematics students as scholars.

            “At SRU, our first commitment is to students. To be recognized for mentoring students to do scholarly work that extends beyond the classroom is particularly gratifying, and it reflects this commitment,” he said.

            Marchand and undergraduate students have completed two, funded research projects that led to numerous student presentations at national and regional conferences.  “Several other students that I have mentored have published solutions to problems posted in professional journals,” he said. “Their solutions also formed the basis of several conference presentations.”

            Marchand started SRU’s first mathematical modeling team in 2004 and has mentored teams every year since then to compete in the International Contest in Mathematical Modeling. Last year, one SRU team received an outstanding ranking, the highest ranking possible. Teams have earned meritorious rankings in each of the other years. 

            Marchand joined SRU in 2003. He has taught 16 different courses and specializes in applied mathematics, calculus, statistics and mathematical modeling. His bachelor’s degree is from Clarion University and his doctorate from the University of Virginia.

            The Allegheny Mountain section of the MAA encompasses 64 institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.