Letter from the Department Chair

I’d like to begin by thanking you, our alumni and friends, for all the support you've given us over the last year. Two new facilities projects have been made possible by your generous donations combined with funding from the College of Science & Mathematics. As you know, the new 189,000-square-foot Warren J. Baker Center for Science & Mathematics opened in fall 2013. This year, our Math Club moved into a beautiful new space in the Center. The new room was designed with input from the Math Club and includes new computers, furniture, two large whiteboards and a 70” LCD projection screen. The room is designed with collaboration in mind, and the students have taken advantage of this new space.

Our Mathematics Department Lab in Building 38 is also undergoing a substantial upgrade. The lab will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and furniture in order to maximize its adaptability to the needs of our applied mathematics and mathematics education groups.

Because of the initiative of a small group of faculty members and the generosity of another of our donors, we have piloted a new Advanced Cohort Program this year. This gift provides our most talented and ambitious students an opportunity to meet weekly to discuss problems and issues of interest to aspiring mathematicians under the direction of Professor Eric Brussel. The program also includes funding for student travel and a special speaker series.

The Math Club makes good use of its new space in the Warren J. Baker Center for Science & Mathematics.

Thank you to all who have supported us through your donations and gifts. As you can see, your generosity provides critical support for the department's students, faculty and staff and is very much appreciated.

Last year, I discussed our department’s achievement in meeting student demand for record numbers of freshmen without compromising Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing principles or increasing class sizes. This larger freshman class has turned out to be the new normal, and I’m happy to report that we continue to provide a quality mathematics experience without sacrificing our core values. As a single data point, Cal Poly’s headcount exceeded 20,000 students for the first time this year.

I have been honored to lead such an excellent department of outstanding faculty, staff and students for three years now. Having agreed to serve an additional three-year term, I am looking forward to continuing to help the department reach and further its teaching and research goals.

I hope you enjoy reading about student and faculty achievements in the new online format. Let us know what you think of it. If you have any items of interest for a future newsletter, please pass them along.

Best Regards,
Joseph Borzellino