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“Two of my high school math teachers were alumni of Waterloo Math, and they constantly raved about the university,” remembered Gurtaj Dhaliwal. In spite of his teachers’ occasionally excessive cheerleading, the Brampton native pursued his passion for mathematics to the Department of Pure Mathematics within the Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics. “I love that moment where a difficult abstract concept just clicks,” he expressed. “Pure Math lets me delve deeper and deeper into the mental challenge of solving puzzles.”

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, George attended Dalhousie University to complete both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Following his graduation, he headed West and taught undergraduate math at Victoria College and the University of British Columbia where he completed his doctorate in 1958.

One of the 2019/2020 recipients of the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching was Kathryn Hare.

The award recognizes the teachers’ consistent demonstration of outstanding pedagogical skills and a deep commitment to their students’ education.

The faculty presents a maximum of two Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching annually. Outstanding teachers at all levels, from first-year through to graduate studies, are eligible with recipients receiving a public citation along with a cash prize.

“While working as an instructional support assistant (ISA), I remember the first time a professor asked for a volunteer to teach a lecture while he was at a conference,” remembers Josué Kurke. “My hand shot up. I donned a professorial kind of jacket with the elbow patches and went all out. Over time, I’ve realized that I feel most at home in front of a classroom. I want to spend my career talking to people about math.”

Learn more about this student studying Pure Mathematics and Combinatorics & Optimization.

Pure Mathematics Professor William Slofstra has received a 2020 Faculty of Mathematics Golden Jubilee Research Excellence Award.

The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) has recognized Professor Kathryn Hare as part of the Third Inaugural Class of Fellows.

One of nine women named a CMS Fellow, Hare has been a faculty member in the Department of Pure Mathematics since 1988. Since that time, she has received several honours and awards including:

Congratulations to the researchers in the Department of Pure Mathematics who have been awarded a 2019 Outstanding Performance Award announced by Vice-President, Academic and Provost Jim Rush.

Associate Professor Matt Kennedy has been awarded the Israel Halperin Prize for 2020. The prize is awarded every five years for outstanding work in operator algebras or operator theory to members of the Canadian mathematical community who are within ten years of receipt of their doctorate.

Jun Yan is this year’s University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics recipient of the Alumni Gold Medal in recognition of his academic excellence. 

Yan, who graduated with a double major in Pure Mathematics and Combinatorics & Optimization and a minor in Psychology, earned the coveted award after achieving a 97.34 cumulative average and a 98.72 major average.