Holy Cross Senior Wins Award at California Math Conference

WORCESTER, Mass. – Katherine Fitzpatrick, a member of the College of the Holy Cross class of 2008, was one of 37 students out of nearly 200 to win an award at the American Mathematical Society and Mathematical Association of America Joint Mathematics Meeting in San Diego, Calif.

“Katie is an exceptionally talented student of mathematics.  I have known her since her first semester at the College and have been impressed with her ability from the start,” says David Damiano, associate professor of mathematics and computer science at Holy Cross and her research mentor. “It is one of the great pleasures of mentoring senior research projects at the College that one has the opportunity to work with students of her caliber.”

As a recipient of the award, Fitzpatrick successfully explained her research to the judges and responded to questions.  As a result of her hard work and dedication, she earned the most points in each category to win.  She spent last summer doing research for her poster which was supported by the Fisher Summer Grant Foundation.

Fitzpatrick, from Queensbury, N.Y., is a mathematics major and premedical studies student, who plans on attending medical school and becoming a physician.  In 2006, she was granted the Mrs. Kate C. Powers Medal, which is presented to the highest ranking student(s) in the second year, and has been chosen as a Dana Scholar numerous times.  As an undergraduate student, she is an active member of the Holy Cross community.  On campus, she is a member of the varsity volleyball team and assists fellow peers as a calculus workshop tutor.  Off campus, Katherine dedicates her time to serving the Worcester Community by participating in various community service activities at schools.  She also works at the UMass Memorial Hospital in infection control.

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) annually host the Joint Mathematics Meetings, which is their largest national event.  Undergraduate students, graduate students and mathematicians are invited to attend the yearly conference which consists of lectures, workshops, short courses, and the undergraduate poster session.