University of Tennessee at Martin Mathematics and Statistics Department

09/09/2026

🌟 Dr. Curtis Kunkel Selected as a Fall 2026 Featured Faculty Scholar

The UT Martin Department of Mathematics and Statistics is proud to congratulate Dr. Curtis Kunkel on his selection as a Fall 2026 Featured Faculty Scholar!

An applied mathematician, Dr. Kunkel has built an extensive research program in differential equations and dynamic equations on time scales, with particular emphasis on nonlinear and singular boundary value problems. His scholarship studies questions concerning the existence, uniqueness, and behavior of solutions to differential and dynamic equations, including problems that provide a unified framework for continuous and discrete mathematical models.

Dr. Kunkel earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Baylor University under the direction of Dr. Johnny Henderson, a prominent researcher in differential equations and boundary value problems. His dissertation, Positive Solutions of Singular Boundary Value Problems, laid the foundation for a research program that he has continued throughout his career at UT Martin.

His research has appeared in respected journals in applied mathematics and differential equations, including Applied Mathematics Letters and the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications. His work also includes numerous publications involving undergraduate research, including papers in Involve, a Journal of Mathematics, a journal devoted to publishing high-quality mathematical research involving students. One such paper, coauthored with UT Martin students Courtney DeHoet and Ashley Martin, studied positive solutions of singular third-order boundary value problems on discrete time scales.

Dr. Kunkel is also a past recipient of UT Martin’s Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award, reflecting his longstanding commitment to connecting scholarship with teaching and student mentorship.

As part of the Fall 2026 Research Series, Dr. Kunkel will present “From Student Researcher to Faculty Mentor: Kunkel’s Undergraduate Research Journey” on Thursday, October 29 at 4:00 p.m. His presentation will highlight how undergraduate research has shaped both his own career and his work mentoring the next generation of mathematicians.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Curtis Kunkel on his selection as a Featured Faculty Scholar and on his continued contributions to research, teaching, and undergraduate scholarship at UT Martin! 🧡💙

09/08/2026

From UT Martin Student to MathFest Panelist! 🎓➡️📚

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is proud to recognize Dr. Ezra Nance, lecturer in mathematics and statistics, who served as a panelist for “Undergraduate Research Experiences (NREUP)” at the Mathematical Association of America’s MathFest in Boston on August 6, 2026.

Dr. Nance is a UT Martin alumnus, earning his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UTM in 2019. This summer, he served as one of the co-principal investigators and faculty mentors for UT Martin’s first MAA National Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (NREUP).

At MathFest, Dr. Nance joined faculty with experience in NREUP programs to discuss undergraduate research, share lessons from organizing and mentoring research experiences, and offer advice to faculty interested in developing undergraduate research opportunities at their own institutions.

We are proud to see a UTM mathematics alumnus now representing his alma mater on a national stage and sharing our department’s experience supporting undergraduate research. Congratulations, Dr. Nance! 🧡💙

09/01/2026

📚 Need Help with Math? The Math Center Is Open!

The UT Martin Math Center is open for the fall semester in Latimer-Smith 202!

Tutoring is FREE, and no appointment is needed for many mathematics courses. Just stop by with whatever you’re working on — homework, practice problems, or concepts you’d like some help understanding.

⏰ Fall Hours
Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Monday–Thursday: 4:00–8:00 PM
Closed daily from 3:00–4:00 PM for tutor training and on weekends.

The Math Center specializes in MATH 100, 110, 130, 140, 160, 170, 210, 251, 252, and 320. Tutoring for other mathematics courses is available by appointment.

💻 Online and dual-enrollment students: Zoom tutoring is also available by appointment Monday–Thursday from 4:00–8:00 PM.

Questions or need to schedule an appointment? Contact John Bush, Mathematics Learning Center Coordinator, at [email protected].

And remember: it’s the Math Center, not the Math Lab! 😊 Come see us in LS 202.

08/30/2026

Dr. Shalmali Bandyopadhyay (left), assistant professor of mathematics and statistics, was awarded a competitive Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) Mentoring Travel Grant to support a research collaboration with Dr. Nsoki Mavinga (right) of Swarthmore College. The AWM Mentoring Travel Grant program is designed to help early-career women mathematicians develop long-term research and mentoring relationships with established researchers in their fields. The program supports a small cohort of awardees annually through a national competition. Read more

Dr. Shalmali Bandyopadhyay was awarded a competitive Association for Women in Mathematics Mentoring Travel Grant

08/28/2026

Presidential Visit to Mathematics and Statistics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics was pleased to welcome University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd during his visit to UT Martin yesterday.

President Boyd stopped by the department to visit with Department Chair Dr. Steve Elliott and congratulate him on receiving a UT President’s Award, one of the University of Tennessee System’s highest honors. Chancellor Yancy Freeman and College of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Nancy Buschhaus also joined the visit.

We appreciate President Boyd taking the time to visit our department and recognize Dr. Elliott’s contributions to UT Martin and the UT System. Congratulations again, Dr. Elliott!

Pictured: President Boyd meeting with Dr. Elliott and Chancellor Freeman; and, from left, Dean Nancy Buschhaus, Dr. Steve Elliott, President Randy Boyd, and Chancellor Yancy Freeman.

08/26/2026

https://news.utm.edu/2026/08/24/math-craft-lab-open-to-local-high-school-students/

The UT Martin Math Craft Laboratory is preparing for another year of bringing local high school students to campus to explore mathematics, build connections and work alongside university faculty. Hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Math Craft Laboratory is a mentorship progra...

08/24/2026

Today marks the end of the Summer between semesters. As we usher in a new semester, tomorrow morning, let us celebrate achievements made by our students at Math Fest earlier this month:

“We are delighted to share some news from MathFest. Our NREUP students presented three posters, and two of them won Outstanding Poster Awards: one by Kimsear Lor, and one by Hunter Johnson, Brandon Jones, and Kyle Byassee. For a first-year program, and for these students, this is a remarkable result.” (Dr Bandyopadhyay, Dr DeVito, and Dr Nance)

Hunter and Kyle recently graduated from UTM. Hunter begins graduate school at UT Chattanooga. Kyle joins us at UTM as faculty this semester alongside starting graduate school at Austin Peay State University.

08/23/2026

📚 Welcome Back, Skyhawks!

Tomorrow marks the first day of Fall 2026 classes! 🍂

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics wishes everyone a great start to the semester. If you need assistance, come see us in the Latimer-Smith Building, we are located on the third floor.

📍 Mathematics & Statistics Main Office: LS 341
📍 Math Learning Center: LS 202

Whether you’re returning to campus or beginning your first semester at UT Martin, we’re glad you’re here. Have a great first day of classes! 🧡💙

Tomorrow is the first day of class! Before the semester started, we shared some tips that were just for you. Since classes start tomorrow, here are some tips for you to share with your students. We will do this from time to time. Here are tips for tomorrow:

Carry some snacks and water in your backpack. It may take a couple of days to figure out your lunch schedule, to navigate the lines, and to determine how long it actually takes to walk from one place to another. Just in case things take longer than anticipated, be prepared. You don’t have to be hungry, and you don’t have to be late to class.

The syllabus matters. Pay attention to what your professors say about it. Read it to get an idea of what is coming and when. Many of your questions will have the answers in the syllabus.

08/21/2026

🧡💙 Welcome, new Skyhawks!

The UT Martin Department of Mathematics and Statistics was excited to join today’s First Flight Frenzy and Freshman Walk to welcome the newest members of the Skyhawk family!

We’re looking forward to meeting our new students in the classroom and around campus as the Fall 2026 semester gets underway.

Welcome to UT Martin, Class of 2030! 🎓🦅

08/21/2026

🧮 Math Craft Lab is back!

Thank you to Obion County Central High School for welcoming our Math Craft Lab team and for sharing these great photos!

Applications for the 2026–27 Math Craft Lab are now open, with applications due September 10. Apply here http://tinyurl.com/2kunustu

We’re looking forward to welcoming this year’s students to UT Martin! 🧡💙