George Berzsenyi
George Berzsenyi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 (age 86–87) Budapest, Hungary |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Mathematician, mathematics educator |
| Known for | Mathematics competitions, mentoring students, founding USAMTS |
| Awards | Paul Erdős Award (1996), Gung and Hu Award (2016) |
George Berzsenyi (born 1938) is a Hungarian-American mathematician and retired professor, known for his contributions to mathematics education and his mentorship of high school mathematics students. He chaired the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), co-founded the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS), and helped create several problem-solving programs. For his contributions, he received the Paul Erdős Award in 1996 and the Gung and Hu Award in 2016.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Berzsenyi was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1938. His family descends from the Hungarian poet Dániel Berzsenyi. He emigrated to the United States in 1957 following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, accompanied by his father, Col. Miklós de Vargha.[2] He earned his doctorate in mathematics with a specialization in complex analysis.[3]
Academic career
[edit]Berzsenyi taught mathematics at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, for 19 years.[4] He later joined the Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology, where he continued to teach and promote mathematics competitions for 12 years[4] until his retirement in 1999.
Competitions and outreach
[edit]Mathematics Day and Texas Olympiad
[edit]At Lamar University, Berzsenyi organized an annual "Mathematics Day" (1977–1982) for high school students. He also created the Texas Mathematics Olympiad during this period.[5]
AIME and AMC involvement
[edit]In 1983, Berzsenyi became the founding chair of the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) committee and served for six years. He also contributed problems to the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), including the earlier AHSME.[5]
USAMTS and IMTS
[edit]In 1989, Berzsenyi co-founded the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS), a nationwide proof-based contest by mail. Modeled on Hungary's Középiskolai Matematikai Lapok, it allowed students extended time and feedback. He directed the contest through the 1990s, later co-editing international problem volumes for the IMTS.[6] For much of the 1990s, thirty of the strongest solvers were invited to spend 3 weeks at the NSF-funded Young Scholars Program at RHIT where they learned various topics from Geometry to Chaos Theory.
Team competitions
[edit]Berzsenyi was the first coach of the Texas team for the American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) in 1980.[4] He also mentored students for the Intel/Westinghouse Science Talent Search and similar competitions.
The Competition Corner
[edit]He edited The Competition Corner in The Mathematics Student journal from 1978 to 1981.[5]
Publications
[edit]- The Competition Corner in the Mathematics Student: Its History, Problems, Solutions, and the People Involved (self-published, with István Laukó and Gabriella Pintér)
- The Contest Problem Book V: American High School Mathematics Examinations and American Invitational Mathematics Examinations 1983–1988 (with Stephen B. Maurer)[7]
- Edited two volumes of international problems from the International Mathematical Talent Search.
- Tata’s Tattered Tales, a multivolume genealogical memoir.
Recognition
[edit]In 1996, Berzsenyi received the Paul Erdős Award from the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions.[5] In 2016, he received the Gung and Hu Award from the Mathematical Association of America for a lifetime of distinguished service.[1]
Legacy
[edit]Berzsenyi's protégés include numerous academics and scientists. Among them are Noam Elkies, Kiran Kedlaya, and Vamsi Mootha, who credited Berzsenyi's mentorship in an NPR feature.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "George Berzsenyi Receives the 2016 Gung and Hu Award". Mathematical Association of America. January 6, 2016.
- ^ "György (George) Berzsenyi's Hungarian Childhood Homes". Childhood Home Stories. June 27, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "George Berzsenyi Author Page". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c "The Story of ARML in Texas". St. Edward's University. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "George Berzsenyi: Paul Erdős Award Citation" (PDF). World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mathematical Work – George Berzsenyi". BerzsenyiFamily.net. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ Berzsenyi, George; Maurer, Stephen B. (1997). The Contest Problem Book V. Mathematical Association of America. p. xviii. ISBN 9780883856406.
- ^ Palca, Joe (April 7, 2019). "A Math Teacher's Life Summed Up By The Gifted Students He Mentored". NPR.