These annual prizes were established by the family of Benedict Freedman, professor emeritus of mathematics, in honor of his long and distinguished Occidental career.
Benedict Freedman Prize for Mathematical Promise
This prize will be awarded to a junior or senior Occidental student who has demonstrated exceptional mathematical promise through original research or scholarship in a mathematical science.
To be considered for this prize, a student must be nominated by a faculty member. This may be a faculty mentor of the student’s research or scholarship. We encourage students to contact professors with whom they have worked, or who know the student well, to discuss nomination.
A nominee does not have to be a mathematics major, but the work for which they are nominated must be a contribution to a mathematical science (including pure and applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, and mathematical branches of social and natural sciences). We encourage all students--including those majoring in other disciplines--whose work may be appropriate for nomination to discuss their work with us.
The student awarded the prize will receive a check for $500 and will be honored at a reception where he/she will present his/her mathematical work.
Benedict Freedman Senior Prize in Mathematics
This prize will be awarded to the graduating senior with the most outstanding record of achievement as a mathematics major. Factors considered are: grades in mathematics courses, challenge of program, research activities and accomplishments, mentoring activities and accomplishments, and leadership in mathematical matters. The student awarded the prize will receive a check for $500 and will be honored at a reception.
The Benedict Freedman prizes are made possible by the generosity of the Freedman family.