Generous donors enable the Department of Mathematical Sciences to offer the scholarships and awards listed below.  Except for Lennes Exam awards and the Carolyn and Johnny Lott Scholarship, these scholarships and awards are for math majors; other eligibility requirements are listed below or on the application form. For additional scholarship opportunities, please visit also the scholarship pages of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the Davidson Honors College.  All scholarships and information can be found at the UM Scholarship Portal.

To apply, visit the UM Scholarship Portal. After completing and submitting the General Scholarship Application, continuing math majors will automatically be directed to the application for the undergraduate math scholarships. Application Deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2024

Scholarships

The Adams Scholarship

The Duane A. and Kathleen M. Adams Scholarship is a merit-based, endowed scholarship for a math major entering their junior year. The scholarship is renewable for the senior year, so there are usually two students each year who receive an Adams Scholarship. Duane Adams received his B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Montana in 1960.  Before his retirement in 2006 he was the Vice Provost for Research at Carnegie Mellon University.

Ernest R. Anderson and Josephine (Burgey) Anderson Mathematics Scholarship

This scholarship for mathematics majors was established in 2007 by the estate of Josephine and Ernest Anderson, who graduated from UM in 1939: Ernest in mathematics and education, and Josephine in English. Ernest went on to obtain his master’s and doctoral degrees from UCLA. The winner of this award is selected based on academic achievement.

William R. Derrick Mathematical Sciences Endowed Scholarship

This renewable scholarship honors Bill Derrick, who was a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences from 1972 to 2002.  Bill wrote numerous research papers and authored or co-authored ten mathematics textbooks. He served twice as department chair and received in 1999 the University's Distinguished Scholar Award. 

Joseph Hashisaki Memorial Scholarship

The Joseph Hashisaki Memorial Scholarship is given annually to an upper-division mathematics major.  The award is named in honor of Joe Hashisaki, a member of the Department from 1953-1962, who founded the Two-Year College Mathematics Journal. He, along with John A. Peterson, published Theory of Arithmetic in the 1960’s, the first mathematics textbook specifically for prospective elementary teachers. This award, based on both ability and need, is funded by the Joseph Hashisaki Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Mac Johnson Family Scholarships

The Mac Johnson Family Scholarships are given annually to undergraduate math majors who have completed at least one semester of calculus and shown exceptional talent in mathematics. These scholarships are named in honor of the Mac Johnson family who gave the endowment to fund this scholarship. Mac Johnson earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Montana and taught mathematics at Cut Bank High School and Northern Montana College. His wife, Virginia, also attended the University of Montana.

Carolyn and Johnny Lott Scholarship

The Carolyn and Johnny Lott scholarship is given annually to an undergraduate elementary education major that displays exceptional promise as a future teacher of K-8 mathematics. The scholarship is named in honor of Carolyn and Johnny Lott who gave the endowment. Johnny was a member of the Department of Mathematical Sciences from 1974 to 2006. He is well known for his work in mathematics education as a scholar, textbook author and past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Carolyn Lott was a teacher in Missoula County Public Schools and Loyola Sacred Heart High School.  She later joined the Department of Curriculum and Instruction from 1992 to 2007. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement and includes a mathematical essay.

George F. Votruba Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors George Votruba, who was a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences for 33 years, from 1968 until 2001. 

Merle Manis Award

This award is given to honor Merle Manis who was a professor in the department in the area of Commutative Algebra.  While the endowment is not complete, this award has been given for several years.

Undergraduate Scholar Awards

Several donors have contributed substantially to the endowment for the Undergraduate Scholar Awards.  The main support is the George and Dorothy Bryan Endowment, which was established by their sons John and Charles Bryan to support a variety of programs and activities for students.

Undergraduate Teaching Scholar Award

An undergraduate teaching scholar assists a regular faculty member with classroom activities in a lower-division mathematics course. Examples include working with small groups in the classroom, offering relevant technology components, conducting problem solving sessions, or designing any other appropriate classroom related activity.  The teaching scholar works directly with the faculty mentor on a regular basis for a specific class. Teaching scholar awards are $1750 for a one-semester award and $3500 for a two-semester award.

Undergraduate Tutorial Scholar Award

An undergraduate tutorial scholar meets with students from one or more sections of a 100-, 200-, or 300-level mathematics course. These meetings may take place outside of class in convenient locations (for example, the Undergraduate Study Lounge or the UC). Study groups among the students will be encouraged. The tutorial scholar consults regularly with the faculty course coordinator to find effective ways to assist the students with the material. Tutorial scholar awards are $1400 for a one-semester award and $2800 for a two-semester award.

Undergraduate Research Scholar Award

The Undergraduate Research Scholar Program aims to support undergraduate math majors doing research in the mathematical sciences.  The recipients of Undergraduate Research Scholar Awards are selected on the basis of academic merit.  They must be upper-division undergraduate math majors (this includes the combined major in computer science and mathematics).  It is expected that awards will usually be for two semesters, at up to $1,000/semester.  For two-semester awards, the second semester is subject to satisfactory progress.  For more information, see the Undergraduate Research Scholar Awards page.

Awards

N.J. Lennes Exam

The N.J. Lennes Exam is a competitive examination given annually by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The exam is named in honor of Professor Nels Johann Lennes, who chaired the department from 1913 to 1944. N. J. Lennes wrote numerous mathematics textbooks.  He built the house that is currently the home of the President of the University of Montana.  Zero, one, two, three or more prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Awards are typically in the $100-$200 range. The exam may be taken by any undergraduate student at UM, mathematics major or not. Students who have taken one year of calculus are encouraged to take the exam. (The initial endowment for these awards was donated by members of the extended Lennes family.)

John A. Peterson Mathematics Education Award

The John A. Peterson Mathematics Education Award is a book given annually to a graduating senior with a major in mathematics education. The award is named in honor of John A. Peterson, a member of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences from 1955 to 1973. He, along with Joseph Hashisaki, published Theory of Arithmetic in the 1960’s, the first mathematics textbook specifically for prospective elementary teachers. The recipient must be an outstanding student in mathematics education and a graduating senior. (The money for this award comes from the Mathematics Gift Fund.)

President’s Outstanding Senior Recognition Awards

Each spring, Mortar Board recognizes outstanding seniors nominated by academic departments and student organizations. The Department of Mathematical Sciences can nominate several candidates. Eligible students must be graduating seniors, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and demonstrate a commitment to professional development, leadership, and service.