At Birmingham-Southern College, mathematics is more than just a finished product in a textbook — it’s a process. Our students learn to rely on curiosity, critical thinking and their own inner knowledge to produce important and useful results. They're also pushed to question, analyze, and effectively communicate technical material, all skills the employers of tomorrow are looking for.
Olin Mathematics and Applied Computer Science Center is brighter, more colorful, and well equipped with technology for math and applied computer science students and faculty at Birmingham-Southern, thanks to several gifts and grants.
The first big projects in Olin began in late 2019, when BSC received an anonymous gift to repair the skylight, replace the roof, repaint certain hallways and classrooms, purchase new furniture for the Patterson Library, and upgrade the lighting throughout the building. Any funds remaining were designated to other improvements that faculty requested for Olin.
Artistic Expression Senior math major and computer science minor Mac Delay (pictured far right) brought the idea of a mural to the faculty, and they loved the idea of adding permanent art featuring student designs. Delay and junior math and computer science major Claude Hall (pictured center) were selected to design two murals on the top floor of the building, which were then printed on large vinyl sheets and installed by Next Level Graphics, LLC.
“We love the idea of incorporating math, computer science, and art,” says Dr. Amber Wagner, assistant professor of applied computer science. “Like all faculty on campus, we value our students’ contributions and voices, and I think this project exemplifies that.”
Updated Equipment In addition to these changes, the departments in Olin have also received other grants and gifts that have provided new equipment. Sally Helms – mother of Dr. Sara Helms Robicheaux ’97, B.A. Monaghan Professor of Business Administration, and Mary Beth Helms Templin ’02 – generously sponsored equipment for a new mathematics and computer science lab, which is available to non-majors who are taking introductory courses as well as majors completing projects and capstones.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to help fund student-centered initiatives at Birmingham-Southern,” Helms says. “My husband and two daughters were all undergraduate mathematics majors. All three benefited greatly from their math degrees, which enabled them each to pursue different graduate paths in medicine, management science, and finance.”
Read more about recent upgrades to BSC Mathematics and Applied Computer Science on the BSC Blog!
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