Division and Alumni News

Celebration of Science returns to TWU Oct. 20-21

After being suspended since 2019 due to the pandemic, the Celebration of Science returns to Texas Woman’s University Oct. 20-21. The main event is on Friday, Oct. 21, in the Ann Stuart Science Complex and includes presentations by six speakers, headlined by Sherine O. Obare, PhD. Friday’s event is free and open to the public.

Roller derby queen

TWU's Shawnda Smith, PhD and assistant professor of mathematics, found her people and her place going round 'n' round in roller derby.

Mathematics alumna Tav Tepfer featured in Medium's 'Women of the C-Suite'

Mark Hamner receives national mathematics honor society service award

TWU Vice Provost for Institutional Research & Improvement Mark Hamner, PhD, was selected as the 2021 recipient of the Kappa Mu Epsilon (KME) George Mach Distinguished Service Award.

National Endowment for the Humanities awards grant to TWU faculty

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) today announced that it awarded a Humanities Connections Grant of $99,426 to Texas Woman’s University. The grant will support the very first interdisciplinary and experiential learning initiative to integrate the history of Quakertown into courses at TWU. It will also enable the future development of a digital humanities archive of Quakertown-related research and reflection, which the project co-directors aim to connect to a public platform that will promote community engagement with Quakertown’s history for decades to come.

Grant aims to increase STEM engagement in Indigenous communities

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $99,786 planning grant that will allow a TWU research team to develop strategies to recruit and retain more Indigenous students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Dual math/engineering program alumna Lindsey Smith stays right on target at Cummins

Throughout college at Texas Woman's University and the University of North Texas, Lindsey Smith dedicated herself to her studies, getting ahead of the game with internships in production engineering, aviation, locomotives, and even a project with NASA, where she secured funding for her student team to work on a carbon-fiber rocket to be launched at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Smith earned her dual degree in mathematics and engineering from TWU/UNT and now works on manufacturing engineering teams at Cummins. Her next step is a six-month leave to attend military officer school with the National Guard at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. But after that, she'll be right back at Cummins in a new engineering role. 

Nixed study abroad plan leads to once-in-a-lifetime teaching experience

TWU mathematics education student and Terry Foundation Scholar Nhi Chau planned to study abroad at the University of Auckland in New Zealand this semester, followed by a trip to visit family in Vietnam over winter break. When the pandemic hit, she was forced to cancel her much-anticipated journey.

Argyle ISD names two-time TWU alumna new Hilltop Elementary principal

The Argyle ISD Board of Trustees approved Dona Lumsden as the new Hilltop Elementary School Principal during Monday’s Special Board Meeting. Lumsden has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Master of Education Administration from Texas Woman’s University.

Ann Wheeler co-authors Faculty Focus article on reflective practices

"Reflecting on one’s own learning will not only help instructors understand how their students are mastering course content, it will also directly benefit the students themselves. Reflecting on course content will aid future teachers in honing their writing skills, and, it turns out, is also helpful when it comes to studying for exams," said Ann Wheeler, associate professor of mathematics education at TWU.

Texas Woman’s STEM project awarded $2 million grant

A team of Texas Woman’s University faculty have been awarded $2,448,091 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund a project aimed at improving retention and graduation rates for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

TWU to dedicate math and technology success center in honor of Don Edwards, Ph.D.

Texas Woman’s University will rename its math tutoring center in honor of retiring TWU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science professor and chair, Don Edwards, Ph.D. The “Dr. Don Edwards Mathematics & Technology Success Center” dedication ceremony will take place during a retirement reception at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 23 on the third floor of the Multipurpose Classroom and Laboratory Building.

Women Who Lead: TWU alumna Adriana Blanco (BS '14)

She graduated first in her class at Lake Worth High School and had a penchant for math, so it seemed like a good bet that Adriana Blanco (B.S. '14) would earn a degree in that discipline at Texas Woman’s University and then teach.

But while she was studying math, she learned about a dual-degree program between TWU and the University of North Texas that could put her on a path to a career in engineering. And it was through a mentor at TWU that she made a connection to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island, which provided her with a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

Women Who Lead: TWU alumna Anngienetta Johnson, DSc (BA ‘71)

Anngienetta Johnson’s, D.Sc., (B.A. '71) love for math started with a simple grade school feeling of being good at it. While studying mathematics at Texas Woman’s, Johnson suddenly found herself nominated by the head of the department for a co-op program with NASA. Little did she know this opportunity would lead to a lifelong career with NASA.

“When I look at my life, everything I’ve done, everything I’ve accomplished, leads back to that opportunity,” says Johnson. “I co-oped every other semester with NASA, taking classes on alternating semesters.”

Johnson Receives TWU Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award

Retired NASA administrator Dr. Anngienetta R. Johnson is the second recipient of the Texas Woman’s University Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award. Dr. Johnson received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from TWU in 1971. She is being honored for her significant contributions to NASA, her advocacy for women in science and her volunteer work.

Dr. Anngienetta R. Johnson with Drs. Don Edwards and Ann Stuart
“TWU has a pronounced reputation of producing bold, well-prepared women leaders and receiving this award symbolizes my membership in this elite league.”
 Dr. Anngienetta R. Johnson, TWU alumna and recipient of the Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award

Page last updated 9:34 AM, January 17, 2023