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Mathematics
Celebrating the life of Dr. Alex White
Dr. Alexander White, Associate Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Professor of Statistics at Texas State University, passed away on January 30, 2025. A dedicated educator, mentor, and collaborator, Dr. White’s academic journey began with a PhD in Statistics from Michigan State University. He also earned both his MS in Statistics and BS in Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. White joined American University in 2000 before joining Texas State University in Fall 2005 as an Assistant Professor of Statistics. As a proud bobcat, he dedicated nearly two decades of service to the institution. He served as a Doctoral Program Advisor in Mathematics Education for 12 years, mentoring over 30 PhD students, 10 master’s students, 2 undergraduate honors theses, and many junior faculty. His university-wide service includes his roles as Chair of the Nontenure Line Faculty Committee (2015-2017), Assessment Coordinator for the Departmental General Education Assessment (2019-present), Chair of the Faculty Senate (2017-2019), and active member of the Developmental Education Advisory Committee, General Education Council, and QEP Leadership Team. Most recently, Dr. White’s leadership was instrumental in the approval of the newest Mathematics doctoral program, a lifelong goal of his. For his outstanding dedication to the university, Dr. White has received 7 Teaching, Research, and Service Awards.
However, his impact extended far beyond the university, where he became a trusted collaborator and mentor in the larger mathematics and statistics education community. He worked closely with Texas Mathworks, developing curricula, facilitating professional development for educators, and mentoring over 25 high school students on summer research projects. Dr. White contributed his expertise in test development, sample selection, and evaluation to several global organizations. His scholarly work in mathematics and statistics education included research on innovative statistical analysis for mathematics education settings, the role of technology in teaching geometry, the use of visualization in the classroom, and the integration of real-world applications into statistical education. He was also a co-author of a widely used middle school Algebra I textbook. Dr. White’s legacy lives on in the countless students, colleagues, and educators whose lives he touched. His commitment to academic excellence and unwavering dedication to his students have left a lasting mark on Texas State University and the broader academic community.
Alex is survived by his wife of 32 years, Alejandra, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia.
In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests donations be made to a scholarship that has been established in his name, allowing us to give back in recognition of his immense contributions. Alexander White Statistics Fellowship. When making a gift, please manually search for his program in the ‘search for other Texas State University programs' section.
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Alexander White was held on Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
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NEXT in Math
Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor & Tenure
Will Boney, Jake Fillman, & Wade Hindes
Promotion from Associate Professor to Professor
Jennifer Czocher, Samuel Obara, Ray Treinen, & Yong Yang
@TXST Math
- Location:
- DERR 325; 325
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Vera Ioudaina - vi11@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Dr. Tom Grimes, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, TXSTS
Presents: The Trivialization of Randomization. Is this the Reason Social Science Research Won’t Replicate?
- Location:
- Derrick 240
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- ebr21@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Mathematics often feels shrouded in mystery—an intricate tapestry woven by practitioners who
seem to speak their own enigmatic language. For undergraduate students grappling with its
abstractions, graduate students refining advanced techniques, or seasoned instructors reflecting on
its pedagogy, math can feel like an elusive art. This talk seeks to illuminate the beauty and logic
underlying mathematical concepts, offering accessible explanations for complex ideas and
exploring why math often feels out of reach. Whether you're a STEM novice, a math graduate
student, or a lifelong educator, this talk will leave you with fresh insights and tools to navigate the
mathematical landscape. Click here for more information
more about event
seem to speak their own enigmatic language. For undergraduate students grappling with its
abstractions, graduate students refining advanced techniques, or seasoned instructors reflecting on
its pedagogy, math can feel like an elusive art. This talk seeks to illuminate the beauty and logic
underlying mathematical concepts, offering accessible explanations for complex ideas and
exploring why math often feels out of reach. Whether you're a STEM novice, a math graduate
student, or a lifelong educator, this talk will leave you with fresh insights and tools to navigate the
mathematical landscape. Click here for more information
- Location:
- DERR 333 and Zoom; 333
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Hamilton Hardison - hhardison@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Difficulties with fractions are well-documented for undergraduate developmental mathematics students. As such, fractions are a known gatekeeping topic for this demographic. However, research on fraction understandings for this population is scarce. In this paper, I synthesize relevant literature regarding undergraduate developmental fraction understandings and related K–12 fraction literature. I then report findings from task-based clinical interviews to share examples of various go-to strategies these participants utilized as they worked through fraction tasks. I close with a discussion relating these findings to extant literature and propose future research directions.
Zoom
-
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/84801857972
Click here for more information
more about event
Zoom
-
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/84801857972
Click here for more information
- Location:
- Derrick 329
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- vi11@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Historically, K-12 education has paid insufficient attention to
statistics, particularly in regards to recommendations from the statistics
education community. In this talk, I’ll discuss how this trend may finally be
changing, thanks, in part, to the growing interest in data analysis inspired by
the rise of “data science” and a (belated?) recognition of the need for data savvy
citizens in an age in which almost all aspects of life can be datafied. In
particular, I’ll describe in detail the Introduction to Data Science curriculum,
a year-long high school data science course created with NSF funding and a
team consisting of statisticians, computer scientists, teachers, administrators,
and education researchers. Despite the increasing prevalence of this, and
other, year-long courses, there are headwinds, and I’ll discuss how California,
in particular, has tried to stamp out progress in statistics education. Click here for more information
more about event
statistics, particularly in regards to recommendations from the statistics
education community. In this talk, I’ll discuss how this trend may finally be
changing, thanks, in part, to the growing interest in data analysis inspired by
the rise of “data science” and a (belated?) recognition of the need for data savvy
citizens in an age in which almost all aspects of life can be datafied. In
particular, I’ll describe in detail the Introduction to Data Science curriculum,
a year-long high school data science course created with NSF funding and a
team consisting of statisticians, computer scientists, teachers, administrators,
and education researchers. Despite the increasing prevalence of this, and
other, year-long courses, there are headwinds, and I’ll discuss how California,
in particular, has tried to stamp out progress in statistics education. Click here for more information
- Location:
- Derrick 233
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- clf129@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Love a good problem? Like to solve difficult puzzles?
Join professors, graduate students and undergraduates as we tackle problems presented from several mathematical journals. An interest in higher level mathematics is all that is required to join our round table. Offer what you know, learn what you don't in a relaxed environment with some of our department's finest! Click here for more information
more about event
Join professors, graduate students and undergraduates as we tackle problems presented from several mathematical journals. An interest in higher level mathematics is all that is required to join our round table. Offer what you know, learn what you don't in a relaxed environment with some of our department's finest! Click here for more information
- Location:
- DERR 325; 325
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Vera Ioudaina - vi11@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Dr. Tom Grimes, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, TXSTS
Presents: The Trivialization of Randomization. Is this the Reason Social Science Research Won’t Replicate?
- Location:
- DERR 333; 333
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Hamilton Hardison - hhardison@txstate.edu
Faculty and students learn about and discuss issues related to the teaching and learning of mathematics and new findings in mathematics education research. Graduate students in the Mathematics Education programs are expected to attend whenever possible; students from other programs are always welcome.
Click here for more information
more about event