Appalachian State Department of Mathematical Sciences

05/22/2026

The Department of Mathematical Sciences mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Dr. Harvey Durham. He served in many roles during his long tenure at the university, but above all he was a great friend and colleague to many in our department. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Dr. Harvey R. Durham, a former acting chancellor, provost and faculty member at App State, died on Friday, May 15, at the age of 88. Durham spent nearly 40 years at the university, including as chief academic officer for 24 years, before retiring in 2004.

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Sam Auman, Lindsey Batten, Lily Devlin, Luke Elliott, Simon McConnell, Russell O'Donnell, Elsie Schomp, and Carleigh Scott on graduating tomorrow with their MA Mathematics from the . They were honored this afternoon with the department's hooding ceremony.

They will commence along with all of our graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/08/2026

Commencement is tomorrow! As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026, it's time to highlight our final featured student, Ms. Zoe Balson!

Ms. Zoe Balson of Swannanoa, NC is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, alongside minors in Music and Statistics. Her accomplishments as an undergraduate are remarkable: she was named our department's Outstanding Senior in Mathematics with Minors in Statistics and Music, will graduate Summa Cum Laude with both University Honors (Appalachian Honors) and Departmental Honors, was named a Global Leaders Scholar, and was inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon. After graduation, Ms. Balson will pursue a Masters in Commercial Music Performance in the Belmont University College of Music and Performing Arts in Nashville, TN — a beautiful continuation of her dual passions for mathematics and music.

Ms. Balson's senior year was defined by her honors thesis research. "I'm really thankful to have worked closely with Dr. Noah Williams over the past year on my Honors Thesis project," she shared. "As challenging and sometimes frustrating as research can be, it has been incredibly rewarding to devote deep focus to a long term project and finally make discoveries."

When Ms. Balson reflects on her favorite moments at App State, what comes to mind is everything that drew her to Boone in the first place. "Any time spent outdoors exploring the area! Backpacking, running, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, etc."

Ms. Balson will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am tomorrow, Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center. Congratulations to our entire Class of 2026!

05/07/2026

As we count down to commencement, today we feature graduating senior Ms. Heidi Bowman!

Ms. Heidi Bowman of Davie County, NC is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education. Ms. Bowman's outstanding work as an undergraduate has been recognized in many ways: she is an Appalachian Community of Education Scholar, a North Carolina Teaching Fellow (NC Teaching Fellows Program), an inductee of Pi Mu Epsilon, and was named our department's Outstanding Senior in Mathematics, Secondary Education. She will graduate Summa Cum Laude. After graduation, Ms. Bowman will remain a Mountaineer, continuing her studies at Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies, Appalachian State University to pursue her MA in Mathematics with a concentration in College Teaching.

For Heidi, the rigor of college mathematics was matched by the support she found along the way. "Although I love math and it comes naturally to me, this college level math is no joke. It is hard and challenging," she shared. "I couldn't have asked for better professors to help me through my tears and deepen my understanding."

One memory in particular stands out. "My favorite memory was the first day of Modern Algebra with Dr. Westrem," Heidi recalls. "We had to build a spaghetti and marshmallow tower only using the materials we were given. It was the easiest day of that class all semester—from that day on, the class was enjoyable yet difficult and nothing like building a spaghetti tower."

Ms. Bowman will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/07/2026

Behind every mathematician, statistician, and actuary is a teacher who believed in them first. 🖤💛

To the K-12 teachers who shaped us, inspired us, and occasionally had to convince us that yes, this stuff matters: thank you! To the teachers we've been lucky enough to train in our program, watching you find your footing in the classroom has been one of our greatest joys. And to every teacher who sends us their best and brightest students each year, we see your fingerprints all over them.

Teachers don't just teach subjects. They build futures. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at App State Mathematical Sciences. 📐✏️

05/07/2026

Our countdown to commencement continues! Today we feature graduating MA student Elsie Schomp!

Elsie Schomp of Waxhaw, NC is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with an MA in Mathematics with a concentration in College Teaching. Elsie completed her degree through the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies, Appalachian State University Accelerated Master's program, earning her graduate degree in just one year after finishing her undergraduate studies.

For Elsie, the value of the program reaches far beyond the curriculum. "Every single math class I have taken has contributed to my mathematical knowledge and personal growth," she shared. "I will forever be grateful for all the experiences I have had in this department and all the amazing professors and mentors who have guided me along the way."

Some of her favorite memories live at the intersection of community and tradition. "I have always loved going to the math department tea times to meet new people and connect with my friends in the department," Elsie reflected. "In particular I love Pi Day — it is always awesome to watch some of my favorite professors get pied in the face along with getting to actually eat some really good pie."

After graduation, Elsie's plans are refreshingly grounded: "I am going to learn how to drive and then hopefully find a job doing something."

Elsie will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/06/2026

Continuing our countdown to commencement, today we feature graduating MA student Sam Auman!

Sam Auman of Durham, NC is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with an MA in Mathematics with a concentration in College Teaching. Sam was inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon and previously graduated from App State with her undergraduate math degree with departmental honors. After graduation, Sam is pursuing college lecturer positions in the area, with plans to eventually go on to earn a PhD in mathematics.

"I have always loved my classes and professors here. While it's been very challenging, I feel like I've been treated with respect and a lot of support," Sam reflected on her time in the program.

For Sam, the heart of the experience lived in the graduate student office. "My favorite memory has got to be brainstorming and working with my graduate student colleagues in our grad office. We always come to each other with problems, complaints, suggestions — it's such a positive learning environment, and I've made some really great friends along the way."

Sam will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/06/2026

Only 72 hours until commencement, so we're picking things up! Another day, another double feature! We'll kick off this Wednesday morning by featuring graduating senior Ms. Alex Hayes!

Ms. Alex Hayes of Cary, NC is graduating from College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics and from Appalachian State University - Hayes School of Music with a BM in Music Performance with a concentration in cello, alongside a minor in Statistics. Ms. Hayes is a Chancellor's Scholar who was named to the Chancellor's List every semester of her undergraduate career. She will graduate with University Honors (Appalachian Honors) and has been inducted into both Pi Mu Epsilon and Pi Kappa Lambda (the national music honor society). After graduation, Ms. Hayes is weighing graduate school in either mathematics or music, with plans to enroll this coming year or the next.

For Ms. Hayes, the journey through the math department took some unexpected turns. "I added my math major my sophomore year, and ever since then the highlight for me has been challenging myself and expanding my knowledge in ways I never thought imaginable," she shared. "I always used to say that I dislike coding and prefer doing everything by hand, but after multiple classes using R and Maple I found myself adding a statistics minor!"

Her favorite memory captures the spirit of the department in full. "Student Research Day this past semester was a favorite memory of mine. It was an honor to be inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, as well as support so many of my colleagues on their research projects. I truly felt the community of the math department on this day, and it was amazing to witness and be a part of."

Ms. Hayes will commence along with all of our graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/05/2026

It's a Tuesday double feature, as we feature our second graduating student of the day! Next up is graduating MA student Miss Carleigh Scott.

Miss Carleigh Scott of Pfafftown, NC is graduating from College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with an MA in Mathematics with a concentration in College Teaching. During her time at App State, Miss Scott received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies, Appalachian State University and was inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon honor society. After graduation, she hopes to put her degree to work in the classroom as an college math instructor.

For Miss Scott, what stands out most is the department's culture. "A highlight for me in my time in this department is the connections I've made and the sense of community and support I have felt from both students and faculty," she shared. "It's hard for me to pin down a favorite memory, but I will always look back on my time at App with much love and appreciation."

Miss Scott will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.

05/05/2026

Continuing our countdown to commencement, today we feature graduating senior Joshua Robert Sanchez!

Joshua Robert Sanchez of Charlotte, NC is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University with a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in Business. A first-generation college student, Joshua has been inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon and will graduate with Departmental Honors. After graduation, Joshua will continue his studies at NC State University, pursuing a Master's in Financial Mathematics.

For Joshua, the heart of the App State math experience was time spent with faculty. "Spending more time with my professors during their office hours, asking questions about their studies and also about them personally helped me understand how so many people fall in love with mathematics," he shared.

His favorite memory marks the moment his journey took shape: "Changing my major to mathematics and Dr. Sarah helping me figure out how I could avoid taking pre-calculus, and graduate on time."

Joshua will commence along with all of our Mathematical Sciences graduates at 9am on Saturday, May 9 in Holmes Convocation Center.