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Julian A. Burruss

Samuel Page Duke

G. Tyler Miller

Ronald E. Carrier

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World-Changer Profiles

Carolyn Abitbol ('67)

Shawn Arnold ('76, '81M)

Andy Bacon ('00)

Carole Baldwin ('81)

Brian Balmages ('98)

John Barrick ('76)

Ken Bartee ('83)

Phil Bigler ('74, '76M)

Casey Boutwell ('08)

Keith Brill ('77)

Shelby Brown ('83)

Ginjer Norris Clarke ('94)

Cynthia Coolbaugh ('70)

Maj. Patrick Creed ('93)

Joe Damico ('76, '77M)

Kai Degner ('03, '05M)

Mark Dertzbaugh ('82)

Sue Dickson ('52)

Lt. Col. Mike Dillon ('81)

Dr. Dan Downey ('75)

Linia Duncan ('07)

Curt Dvonch ('08)

Katy Elmore ('01M)

Vanessa Evans ('93, '97M)

Bruce and Lois Cardarella Forbes ('64)

Marlon Foster ('82, '95M)

Mark Gabriele ('95)

Chris Gatesman ('94M)

Elizabeth Gauldin ('50)

Valerie Gibbs ('11)

Jazminia Griffith ('06)

Jennifer Griffith ('09)

David Grimm ('74)

Debbie Grimm ('74)

Donna Sizemore Hale ('81)

Charles Haley ('87)

Barbara Hall ('82)

Sarita Hartz ('02)

Kim Hartzler-Weakley ('00,'07M)

Derwin Henderson ('83)

Mike Hoss ('84)

Vida Huber (1937-2005)

Dan Irwin ('90)

Eric Johnson ('95)

Jessica Kahn ('91)

Josh Kelaher ('11)

Shannon Kennan ('97M)

Katie King ('97)

Lesley Kipling ('99)

Karina Kline-Gabel ('92)

Margot Knight ('74)

Jonathan Koves ('05)

Susan E. Kruck ('94) ('95M)

David LaMotte ('90)

Emily Lewis Lee ('43)

Steve Leeolou ('78)

Gordon Leisch ('56, '65M)

Laurence Lewis ('08)

Gladys Kemp Lisanby ('49)

Nathan Lyon ('94)

Amy Macaleer ('01)

Sonja Macys ('97)

Virginia Mann ('06)

Samier Mansur ('07)

Nate Marsh ('01)

Maj. Gen. Raymond Mason ('78)

Special Agent Charles T. May Jr. ('83)

Beth McGinnis ('00)

MeMe McKee ('99)

Amy McPherson ('83)

Challace McMillin

Matt Miller ('98)

Marcy Morrison ('91)

Tracey Neale ('89)

Dee Nilsen ('00)

John B. Noftsinger Jr. ('85)

Nursing Student Association

Mary Ellen Garber Otto ('58)

Ross Paterson ('90)

Erin Peacock ('07)

Michael Peretich ('06)

Joy Petway ('07)

Janet Phillips ('88)

Laurie Tusing Phillips ('85)

Robert and Frances Plecker

Ryan Powanda ('09)

Jim and Julie Riley ('99P, '05P)

Don Rhymer ('82)

Dave Rizzo ('83)

Richard M. Roberds

Dick and Shirley Hanson ('56) Roberts

Inez Graybeal Roop ('35)

John Rothenberger ('88)

Bertie Martin Selvey ('58)

W. Raymond "Buddy" Showalter Jr. ('50) (1928-2007)

Charles Douglas 'Doug' Smith ('93)

Wesli Spencer ('06)

Stanley Stewart ('78)

Diane Strawbridge ('80, '02M)

Judy Strickler ('60)

Elizabeth Swallow

Kimberly Taylor ('79)

Jason Teasley ('02)

Casey Templeton ('06)

Samantha Terry ('05) ('08M)

Bruce Thayer ('84)

Kathy Thomas ('78)

Mike Thomas ('76, '77M)

Jeff Tickle ('90)

Sean Tobin ('92)

Dennis Tracz ('78)

Christina Updike ('73)

Louise Wilkins-Haug ('76)

J. Craig Williams ('79)

Mandy Woodfield ('05)

Amy Porter Zacaroli ('88)

Dr. Laura Taalman

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Photo: Dr. Laura Taalman

Laura Taalman started buying math textbooks in the second grade -- because it was fun, not because she planned on teaching the subject. Even in college, she set her sights on becoming a mathematics researcher. Required to teach in graduate school, she saw its rewards and changed direction. That's a good thing for her students, those lucky enough to land a spot in one of her fun, but demanding classes. Among her admirers, add the Mathematical Association of America that selected Taalman for a 2005 Henry L. Alder Award as one of the most distinguished beginning college professors in North America, honoring "extraordinarily successful teachers whose influence extends beyond the classroom." And, nowadays, just for fun, she writes her own math textbooks.

"I expect them to perform at a very high level. What's the point of making everything dumbed down?"

To learn more ...

Web site: Department of Mathematics
Article: It All Adds Up
Video: Be The Change!
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