Honors Program Alumni

Pamela A Richardson, Class of '01

What degree(s) did you receive from BGSU?
                BS in Mathematics, minor in Chemistry

What other education have you received?
                Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Virginia, 2005

What were you involved in while at BGSU and in the Honors Program?
                President of Kappa Mu Epsilon (Math club), tutor for the Math Lab, independent research in the Math and Chemistry Departments. I'm sure I've forgotten things!

What do you consider your hometown? 
                Akron, OH

What city do you currently reside? 
                New Wilmington, PA

What is your current occupation? 
                Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Westminster College

What are some significant accomplishments you would like spotlighted?
                My fantastic preparation by the BGSU Math Department helped me finish my Ph.D. in 4 years!
I was 2005 Project NExT Fellow (a national program for new Ph.Ds in mathematics).

What are some of your interests and hobbies? 
                I am very interested in film and often can be found watching old movies (or the Simpsons). I also am quite passionate about music, especially independent rock bands and unique artists like Tom Waits. Thanks in part to my time at BGSU, I love hockey.

I love the intellectual environment of a college campus; I learn a lot from my colleagues and students. I enjoy reading everything from history books to silly novels.

What are some fond memories you have of the BGSU Honors Program? 
                I recall getting absolutely filthy catching crayfish in the Maumee River for Dr. Moore's biology class my freshman year. I'm not one who likes getting dirty, so the fact that I had so much fun doing it came as a surprise! Of course, I learned a lot from the experience, but perhaps some of what I learned was not what was intended.

What impact did the BGSU Honors Program have on your life? 
                I met the majority of my closest friends from college by living in the "Honors dorm" my first year. It is wonderful to have such a community together in one place.

I was also a chemistry major when I first arrived at BGSU, and one of my first math courses, an honors calculus course with Dr. Hern, helped to inspire me to become a math major. The smaller and more accelerated courses provided by the Honors Program really made a difference in my interest.