Faculty, students honored at annual awards ceremony
Scholarships and awards were handed out to faculty members and students in the Department of Mathematics recently, as the department held its annual awards ceremony on April 24.
In total, over $140,000 was awarded during the ceremony as undergraduate and graduate students received scholarship awards. Undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants were also honored, as were the winners of the annual Herzog competition and Integration Bee.
Three faculty members were also recognized with the J.S. Frame Teaching Excellence Award. The Frame Award encourages and rewards excellent teaching and is named after J. Sutherland Frame, a professor of mathematics and engineering research at MSU from 1943-77. He was also the chair of the math department for 17 years, serving from 1943-60.
The faculty members honored include:
- Robert Bell, associate professor of mathematics and associate professor in the Lyman Briggs College.
- Michail Paparizos, specialist in mathematics
- Marios Velivasakis, specialist in mathematics.
Robert Bell
Bell was recognized for his deeply reflective approach to the craft of teaching, which manifests in the course material and assessment strategies he designed for courses ranging from freshman honors calculus to capstone courses and senior seminars.
Michail Paparizos
Paparizos’ teaching portfolio ranged from basic quantitative literacy, serving the
University’s general education needs, to advanced applied linear algebra. He was instrumental
in the redesign of MTH 314, which covers the mathematical foundations driving modern
data science. His students praised him for encouraging outside-of-the-box problem
solving and fostering enthusiasm through his contagious enjoyment of mathematics.
Paparizos’ continued dedication to pedagogy was supported this year by his selection
as an Adams Academy Fellow.
Marios Velivasakis
Velivasakis was honored for his tremendous contribution to gateway instruction. A
common theme among his student feedback was the creation of a welcoming and encouraging
learning environment, where he helped students who have previously struggled with
mathematics build up not only mastery of the course material but the confidence to
further their education.
“One of the things that makes this department special is the way our faculty show up for students every day,” said Jeffrey Schenker, professor of mathematics and department chair. “These award winners go beyond teaching formulas—they create spaces where students feel supported, challenged, and like they truly belong. That’s what great teaching looks like at Michigan State.”
The Frame Award was initiated in 1988. Nominations are solicited from students and faculty. Award winners are evaluated by their students and members of the award committee, who drop in on their classes without notice for observation. They also submit a teaching portfolio for consideration.
Each of the winners receives a $2,000 prize.
A complete listing of scholarships offered by the Department of Mathematics can be found here.
