A&M-C math professor honored by Mathematical Association of America

COMMERCE, Texas -- Dr. Stuart Anderson of Texas A&M University-Commerce has been honored by the Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America.

Anderson won the award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

This is a prestigious award," said Dr. Bill Aslan who pointed out that all Texas colleges and universities regardless of size can make nominations, including University of Texas, Texas A&M University in College Station, and Rice University.

"Dr. Anderson is a dedicated professional with a true love for teaching," said Aslan, a colleague in the A&M-Commerce Department of Mathematics who nominated him for the award. "His genuine concern for the well being of his students, which he demonstrates daily, has set him apart as a role model, friend, and mentor."

Anderson, who began teaching math at A&M-Commerce in 1973, was presented the award at the association's annual meeting April 6-8 at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls.

The professor said he was pleased to receive the award.

"Since I consider the MAA an important organization for my discipline, receiving this award is especially gratifying," he said. "Being chosen by people who do exactly what I do -- teach college mathematics -- is quite touching. I am most appreciative."

Anderson served as math department head from 1988 to 2003. In the '80s, he began studying the history of mathematics and has developed two undergraduate courses on this topic.

In the early '90s, he attended Boston University summer institutes on dynamical systems and later developed courses in this area.

He has worked closely with math students in Alpha Gamma Alpha, Pi Mu Epsilon, and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Anderson has won several other awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Section of MAA, and the Barrus Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching, Sigma Xi Research Award, and Honors Professor of the Year, all from A&M-Commerce.

He served as secretary of the Texas Section of MAA for nine years.

Anderson, who grew up northwest of Fort Worth in Chico, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Texas and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

A Greenville resident, Anderson is the father of two daughters who graduated from A&M-Commerce. Hillary teaches history and art in Fannindel schools and Jessica is a first grade teacher in Bastrop.