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Mathematics
Celebrating the life of Dr. Alex White
Dr. Alexander White, Associate Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Professor of Statistics at Texas State University, passed away on January 30, 2025. A dedicated educator, mentor, and collaborator, Dr. White’s academic journey began with a PhD in Statistics from Michigan State University. He also earned both his MS in Statistics and BS in Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. White joined American University in 2000 before joining Texas State University in Fall 2005 as an Assistant Professor of Statistics. As a proud bobcat, he dedicated nearly two decades of service to the institution. He served as a Doctoral Program Advisor in Mathematics Education for 12 years, mentoring over 30 PhD students, 10 master’s students, 2 undergraduate honors theses, and many junior faculty. His university-wide service includes his roles as Chair of the Nontenure Line Faculty Committee (2015-2017), Assessment Coordinator for the Departmental General Education Assessment (2019-present), Chair of the Faculty Senate (2017-2019), and active member of the Developmental Education Advisory Committee, General Education Council, and QEP Leadership Team. Most recently, Dr. White’s leadership was instrumental in the approval of the newest Mathematics doctoral program, a lifelong goal of his. For his outstanding dedication to the university, Dr. White has received 7 Teaching, Research, and Service Awards.
However, his impact extended far beyond the university, where he became a trusted collaborator and mentor in the larger mathematics and statistics education community. He worked closely with Texas Mathworks, developing curricula, facilitating professional development for educators, and mentoring over 25 high school students on summer research projects. Dr. White contributed his expertise in test development, sample selection, and evaluation to several global organizations. His scholarly work in mathematics and statistics education included research on innovative statistical analysis for mathematics education settings, the role of technology in teaching geometry, the use of visualization in the classroom, and the integration of real-world applications into statistical education. He was also a co-author of a widely used middle school Algebra I textbook. Dr. White’s legacy lives on in the countless students, colleagues, and educators whose lives he touched. His commitment to academic excellence and unwavering dedication to his students have left a lasting mark on Texas State University and the broader academic community.
Alex is survived by his wife of 32 years, Alejandra, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia.
In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests donations be made to a scholarship that has been established in his name, allowing us to give back in recognition of his immense contributions. Alexander White Statistics Fellowship. When making a gift, please manually search for his program in the ‘search for other Texas State University programs' section.
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Alexander White was held on Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
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NEXT in Math
SIAM hosts the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival
Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor & Tenure
Will Boney, Jake Fillman, & Wade Hindes
Promotion from Associate Professor to Professor
Jennifer Czocher, Samuel Obara, Ray Treinen, & Yong Yang
@TXST Math
- Location:
- Zoom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- vi11@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
This study seeks to address the causal role of advocacy groups activity on Twitter and media as drivers of firearm acquisition in the United States. Firearm injuries are a leading cause of death in the United States, where a greater number of people die by firearms than in motor vehicle crashes. Although firearms present a significant public health risk, Americans continue to purchase them in large amounts. Three drivers of firearm acquisition are commonly cited in literature, namely fear of violent crime, fear of mass shootings, and panic-buying. These drivers have been shown to have causal links on a weekly scale. In addition, the activity of relevant interest groups on social media, which capitalize on emotions such as fear, may impact impulsive firearm acquisition in the short time scales of days. The combined role of all factors in driving firearm purchases has never been tested in the causal framework, PCMCI+.
more about event
Zoom link:
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/84237982936?pwd=4IDhjLs66LazkmpoPg8RA7jrIbIwAR.1
Meeting ID 842 3798 2936 Passcode SS_DERR325
Click here for more information- Location:
- Derrick 240
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- ebr21@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Math can feel abstract and distant from everyday life, but these concepts help us understand the
world better. In this talk, we’ll start with a simple vector addition puzzle and see how Euler’s
Formula can prove it in a beautiful way. If you're new to concepts like complex numbers, this is a
great introduction. I’ll use programmatic animations, inspired by 3 Blue 1 Brown, to help visualize
these concepts and make them come to life. Along the way, we’ll also touch on real-world
applications, like how these ideas are used in physics, engineering, and even chemistry. You’ll see
how math connects to the world around us in ways you might not expect! Click here for more information
more about event
world better. In this talk, we’ll start with a simple vector addition puzzle and see how Euler’s
Formula can prove it in a beautiful way. If you're new to concepts like complex numbers, this is a
great introduction. I’ll use programmatic animations, inspired by 3 Blue 1 Brown, to help visualize
these concepts and make them come to life. Along the way, we’ll also touch on real-world
applications, like how these ideas are used in physics, engineering, and even chemistry. You’ll see
how math connects to the world around us in ways you might not expect! Click here for more information
Math Education Seminar - Dr. Jessica Bishop and Mai Bui offer a preview of their upcoming JRME talk
–
- Location:
- DERR 333
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Hamilton Hardison - hhardison@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
In this mixed methods study, we introduce an activity-based perspective on mathematical authority that considers who leads mathematical activities in a classroom. Our framework for mathematical authority extends existing research that focuses primarily on Authoring mathematical ideas to include the activities of Visualizing and Speaking. Using data from 129 lessons, we identified six authority structures that reflect consistencies in how mathematical authority was distributed across Authoring, Speaking, and Visualizing These authority structures provide greater clarity and nuance to prior work on shared authority. We also used log linear models to identify relationships among co-occurring authoritative activities and found that when students had authority for Visualizing, Speaking, and using Previously Generated Student Work, they were more likely to have authority for Authoring.
Click here for more information
more about event
- Location:
- Derrick 329
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- pcd27@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
The math department hosts a colloquium series in which distinguished researchers present their recent work to a general mathematical audience. All faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students are welcome.
Click here for more information
more about event
- Location:
- Derrick 233
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- clf129@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Love a good problem? Like to solve difficult puzzles? Join professors, graduate students and undergraduates as we tackle problems presented from several mathematical journals. An interest in higher level mathematics is all that is required to join our round table. Offer what you know, learn what you don't in a relaxed environment with some of our department's finest!
Click here for more information
more about event
- Location:
- Derrick 326
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- wb1011@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Pizza provided!
Speaker: Victoria Noquez, Saint Mary's College of California
Abstract:
Category theory is a general framework for studying mathematics, in which
we view mathematical structures and the relationships between them as objects
and arrows. We will start with the basics of category theory, and see some
examples of the broad range of topics this set up can be used to study. Next
we will explore the notion of duality, one of the strengths of category theory:
if we obtain a category theoretic result, often times we get another result for
free by flipping the direction of the arrows. Finally, we will define algebras,
and their dual notion of coalgebras. We will take a tour through different
parts of mathematics (especially logic and geometry) which can be understood
through the lens of algebras and coalgebras , and the advantages of doing so.
This talk will be accessible to a general undergraduate mathematics audience.
Familiarity with proofs will be helpful, but beyond that no specific background
will be expected.
Speaker: Victoria Noquez, Saint Mary's College of California
Abstract:
Category theory is a general framework for studying mathematics, in which
we view mathematical structures and the relationships between them as objects
and arrows. We will start with the basics of category theory, and see some
examples of the broad range of topics this set up can be used to study. Next
we will explore the notion of duality, one of the strengths of category theory:
if we obtain a category theoretic result, often times we get another result for
free by flipping the direction of the arrows. Finally, we will define algebras,
and their dual notion of coalgebras. We will take a tour through different
parts of mathematics (especially logic and geometry) which can be understood
through the lens of algebras and coalgebras , and the advantages of doing so.
This talk will be accessible to a general undergraduate mathematics audience.
Familiarity with proofs will be helpful, but beyond that no specific background
will be expected.