May 4, 2004

Troy University student chosen to study at Princeton

Sheena Richards of Rehobeth, a senior at Troy University , has been selected to attend the 2004 Summer Program for Women in Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University .

“To say that Sheena is an outstanding student is an understatement,” said Diane Porter , chair of the department of mathematics and physics. “Only around 25 students are selected nationally to participate in this program. It's a great accomplishment for Sheena and the faculty in the mathematics department. The math faculty are to be congratulated for nurturing her hunger for mathematics. It's an outstanding achievement and we're very excited for her.”

Richards has been published multiple times in the Alabama Journal of Mathematics, and has made presentations throughout the Southeast. She has spoken at the annual meeting of the Alabama Association of College Teachers of Mathematics in 2003 and 2004, the Western Kentucky University Mathematics Symposium held at Western Kentucky University in November 2003, and two Troy University Mathematics Seminars in February and November of 2003.

“It means so much to me to be chosen for the summer program at Princeton ,” Richards said. “It has given me confidence in my abilities as a student and let me know that hard work does pay off.”

She is president of the Square Root of C Math Club, a charter member of Pi Mu Epsilon mathematical honor society, and has been a tutor in the Natural Science Center.

Richards will also attend a summer program at Spellman College in Atlanta . She has been awarded Graduate Teaching Fellowships and tuition waivers at Florida State University and the University of Houston and will attend the University of Houston this fall.