Scholarships
The WCU Nanoscience in Health & Technology S-STEM Program
The WCU Nanoscience for Health and Technology S-STEM Scholarship program supports the retention and graduation of high-achieving students who are interested in the applications of Nanoscience for the advancement of society.
The project also supports the development and implementation of curricular and co-curricular programs that improve student success and professional preparedness in STEM fields. In addition, scholar participation in the activities planned will enhance our understanding of effective teaching and retention strategies in STEM disciplines.
More information may be found here.
A number of scholarships are supported by departmental alumni, former faculty members, and friends of the Department.
Scholarships/Awards
The Mathematics Scholarship (1974)
The Mathematics Scholarship was created in 1974 by the faculty of the Department of
Mathematical Sciences. The initial purpose was to raise funds for an endowment that
would generate enough interest to provide several monetary awards to undergraduate
majors of the department for their high academic achievements.
Class of ‘43 Scholarship (1991)
Two class members of the Class of 1943, Jean Stevenson and Oreste Leto established
this fund in celebration of their 50th Class Reunion.
Mark Weiner Memorial Scholarship (1992)
Mark Wiener was a Professor of Mathematics, Mathematics Education, and Computer Education
at West Chester University. He was the sponsor of the Anderson Math Club and was President
of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics of Philadelphia and Vicinity (ATMOPAV).
Michael P. Montemuro Memorial Scholarship (1998)
Dr. Michael P. Montemuro, who served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and
Professor of Mathematics, was a member of the University faculty for 34 years. He
was very active in the faculty union and served as president of ASPCUF for 18 years.
Dr. Montemuro received the Distinguished APSCUF Service Award, the West Chester University
Presidential Service Award, and was coach of the University ski team.
Dr. and Mrs. Albert E. Filano Mathematics Scholarship (2000)
Dr. Albert E. Filano was a long-serving faculty member and administrator, serving
the University for more than 35 years as Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair,
Division Director, Academic Vice President, Interim President and advisor to the Newman
Center. The scholarship fund was established as part of the naming of Filano Hall
dedicated on August 19, 2000, the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Benjamin E. Faber Endowed Scholarship (2002)
This scholarship was created by George and Karin Faber, parents of Benjamin, after
his death in an automobile accident on October 30, 2001, when a deer struck his car.
Ben was a 1996 graduate of Unionville High School. He received an associate degree
with honors from Delaware County Community College and was a senior at West Chester
University pursuing both mathematics and physics. Ben was also a member of Phi Theta
Kappa national honor fraternity. Ben earned the rank of Eagle Scout while a member
of Troop 22.
Applied Statistics Endowment (2008)
The Applied Statistics Graduate Degree Program was created in Fall of 2003 and this
fund was created to provide an award to graduate students in the Program who have
shown exceptional academic achievement in their studies.
Frank Milliman Endowed Scholarship (2008)
For 48 years Professor Frank Milliman taught, mentored, and advised thousands of West
Chester University students. Among his former students, one can easily find university
professors, professional mathematicians, actuaries, and literally hundreds of current
secondary school mathematics teachers who constantly tell us how they strive to teach
mathematics, to assess student achievement (with high standards), and to be available
for students the way Professor Milliman was for them. Professor Milliman’s name will
always be synonymous with the Department of Mathematics.
Mary Pinder Nunan ’43 Endowed Scholarship (2015)
When Mary Pinder was a junior at West Chester State Teachers College she won a mathematics
award for excellence. This event, in the spring of 1942, had a great impact on Mary
and she always knew that one day she would create her own scholarship for West Chester
mathematics majors. In the spring of her senior year, her dean asked her if she would
be willing to substitute teach math at Pierre S. du Pont High School in Delaware.
Mary accepted the position and took the bus from outside (Old) Main Hall to Delaware
every day to teach. In May, Mary attended her West Chester graduation and returned
to du Pont Monday, as its school year did not end until mid-June. She graduated with
the highest honors and three majors: mathematics, English, and social studies.
Actuarial Science Award Fund (2016)
Established by the Department of Mathematics, the purpose of this fund is twofold:
(a) to reimburse, either partially or fully, those West Chester students who have
passed one of the actuarial examinations offered by the Society of Actuaries, Casualty
Actuarial Society, or other certifying organization; and (b) to recognize excellence
in actuarial science.
Class of 1963 Scholarship for Promising Math Education Majors (2016)
Jim Rubillo credits Albert E. Filano and Frank Milliman for recognizing and supporting
students who demonstrated promise in mathematics education. After graduating in 1963,
Jim embarked on a 47 year career in public education. He remained active within several
mathematics professional associations at the state and national levels and provided
teacher professional development programs in fifty states and across Canada. Most
recently, Jim served as the Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics (NCTM) for eight years. Jim received the Ross Taylor/Glenn Gilbert
National Leadership Award of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, and
the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics Education.
Jim also received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary Doctor
of Science degree. This scholarship awards a math education senior who demonstrates
leadership and excellence in mathematics education courses.
Grosshans Hirsch Applied Mathematics Endowment (2016)
Dr. Michael Hirsch graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Computer
Science. He later attained a Masters in Applied Mathematics from the University of
Delaware and a Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research from the University of
Florida. Dr. Hirsch credits Dr. Frank Grosshans, an accomplished West Chester University
faculty member and mathematician, for introducing him to the government defense field,
where he has spent over 20 years developing solutions for both defense and commercial
problems. Today, Michael is the owner and President of ISEA TEK (Industrial & Systems
Engineering Analysis Technologies). This scholarship recognizes a mathematics major
who demonstrates potential and excellence in several core mathematics courses.
Katherine Smith Math Endowment (2016)
Katherine Smith graduated from West Chester University in 2011 with a Bachelor of
Science in Mathematics Education. Katherine's father, Richard, and mother, Patricia
who is a 1977 West Chester University alumna, established this scholarship in honor
of their daughter. This scholarship recognizes a student majoring in mathematics who
demonstrates high academic achievement in the view of mathematics faculty.
M.S. Applied Statistics Fund (2016)
Established following the generous contribution of alumna. April Taylor M’11, this
fund offers support for programming, speakers or events that enhance the experience
of students and alumni of the Applied Statistics Graduate Program.
James L’heureux Scholarship (2017)
Dr. James L’heureux joined the faculty of West Chester State College in 1969. In
1974, Professors L’heureux, Branton, Morgan, and Verno raised $112 from selling books,
which marked the beginning of the Mathematics Scholarship Fund. Under the leadership
of Dr. L’heureux, this fund grew to over $100,000 by his retirement in 2000 and today
it has a balance of well over $640,000. In addition to the Mathematics Scholarship
Fund, Dr. L’heureux also encouraged friends of the Department to establish other scholarship
funds for our students. The L’heureux Endowment was established by colleagues of
Dr. L’heureux in recognition of and gratitude for all he has done for the Department
and our students.
Citizenship Award (2018)
This award recognizes one of our mathematics majors who has exercised the utmost in
civility, who has a positive attitude, participates well in school and community activities,
and has a good understanding of civic responsibility.
The Department of Mathematics Scholarship Program was founded in 1974 by Dr. James L’heureux and he has served as its treasurer since that time. All the above scholarships and awards are given annually at an awards banquet held each fall. The banquet is attended by faculty, award recipients, friends, and family members.
There are also numerous scholarships and awards sponsored by the University. They are described in the Undergraduate Catalog.