Author: Burner Becky

Restringing Altgeld’s Mathematical Models: Touching, Tying, and Understanding

Posted on by Becky Burner
Restringing Altgeld’s Math Models: Touching, Tying, & Understanding Mathematics
Event announcement for “Restringing Altgeld’s Math Models: Touching, Tying, & Understanding Mathematics,” held on March 27, 2026

Title: Restringing Altgeld’s Mathematical Models: Touching, Tying, and Understanding Mathematics
Date/Time: Friday, March 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Noyes Laboratory 161
Reception: Held at 3:30 PM following the event at 300 Harker Hall

The Mathematics Library is delighted to invite you to the “Restringing Altgeld’s Mathematical Models: Touching, Tying, and Understanding Mathematics,” which will take place in Noyes Laboratory, Room 161, on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

The Department of Mathematics and the University Library have been collaborating to build a digital library collection for Altgeld Hall’s historic mathematical models. This work includes creating descriptive metadata, assessing physical condition, and cleaning and conserving the models. Because every line and surface of these models represents a mathematical expression, their care and interpretation require expertise from two worlds: mathematics and preservation.

To highlight this interdisciplinary collaboration, the event will feature Professor Jared Bronski (Department of Mathematics) and Professor Jennifer Hain Teper (Head of Preservation Services, University Library). Together, they will discuss how mathematical models are interpreted, handled, and preserved, followed by a hands-on demonstration of restringing a string model.

A reception at 3:30 PM will be held in 300 Harker Hall (Math Common Room) following the event, in conjunction with the Department of Mathematics’ Monthly Cake & Tea. See the map below.

Guest Speakers:

Dr. Jared Bronski is a Professor of Mathematics specializing in applied mathematics, with research interests in nonlinear wave propagation and the stability of waves and coherent structures. He also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Mathematics.

Jennifer Hain Teper is the Bud Velde Preservation Librarian and Professor, and Head of Preservation Services. She specializes in large-scale conservation applications for research library collections and teaches at the iSchool. She is also a key leader of the preservation and digitization efforts for the Altgeld Hall Mathematical Models Collection.

Harker Hall 300
Campus map illustrating the walking route between Noyes Laboratory, Room 161, and Harker Hall, Room 300

Nancy D. Anderson Mathematics Research Awards

Posted on by Becky Burner
Nancy Anderson

The Nancy D. Anderson Research Award program was established in 2024 to encourage and recognize excellence in research and writing of undergraduate students in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The awards are funded by the Nancy D. Anderson Mathematics Library Endowment Fund, which was established to honor Professor Nancy D. Anderson, the Head of the Mathematics Library at UIUC from 1972 to 2000.

  • Two prizes will be awarded annually.
  • The Award is to be paid in the form of a check or direct deposit to the student’s account and must be in addition to and NOT replace or offset existing financial aid or university scholarship support from the institution. For group papers or projects, the award can be distributed among the group members.

Application eligibility:

The submitted paper or project must have been written or developed during the Spring-Fall 2025 semesters for a course within the Department of Mathematics, or as an independent study project for credit, which must be supervised by a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics. In addition:

  • The paper or project must utilize the library collections or services at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • All applicants must be enrolled undergraduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during the current academic year: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026.
  • Submissions may include analytical essays, creative essays, research papers, visualizations, and digital projects.
  • Submissions from individuals or groups will be accepted.

Application Procedure:

  • Your submission must be sponsored by a faculty member, instructor, or the program director of the course or program for which the paper or project was submitted. [Please use the faculty sponsorship form which is included in the application]
  • For group submissions, all members must be listed on the application and sign the application form.
  • Email a copy of your paper as a PDF or Word Document along with the completed faculty sponsor form to Mathematics Library, at math@library.illinois.edu. For online digital projects, please include a link to your project in your email.
  • The deadline for submissions is December 22, 2025

Selection Criteria:

The selection committee will consist of two faculty members from the Department of Mathematics and two faculty members from the University Library and may include emeritus faculty. The committee members will evaluate the submitted papers or projects based on the author’s effective use of library resources, the quality of the research, as well as the following criteria:

  • Innovation and originality of the research.
  • Quality of analysis and interpretation.
  • Potential contribution to scholarship in Mathematics.
  • Excellence and clarity in writing and thoroughness of documentation.
  • Depth and breadth in the use of library resources, including library materials and databases.

 

Nancy D. Anderson Mathematics Research Awards – Application Form

This application form can be emailed along with the paper or project that is being submitted by the student or the faculty member, instructor, or program director.

Your submission is not finalized until we have received a completed copy of this form.

Anderson-Awards-Application-Form