Securing our Future by Giving Back –Opening Doors for Future Mathematicians

by mathematical explorations of their own design, a chance to play with a community of their peers. Math camp!” is past year, Grade 10 student Shiyu Zhang '25 is taking his passion and aptitude for math south for the summer. Zhang adds his name to the SMCS history books as the youngest Fr. Maurice F. Whelan, CSB Award recipient. e award serves to recognize and honour Fr. Whelan’s many years teaching mathematics at SMCS by allowing a mathematics student to a end a summer residential math programme typically between his Grade 11 and Grade 12 school years. e late Fr. Whelan, CSB taught Ode e twice during his student days at SMCS, in Grades 9 and 13.

Both Ode e and SMCS hope that the opportunity to a end math camp will kickstart a lifelong interest in mathematics for students.

When Ode e and Ga ney established the award, they wanted to ensure that the recipient would receive funds to assist with registration fees, tuition, board, and travel costs associated with their chosen programme.

In 2015, thanks to the generosity and vision of Lou Ode e ’69 and M. Ellen Ga ney, long-time benefactors to SMCS, the Fr. Maurice F. Whelan, CSB Award was established.

“SMCS provided role models for giving back, particularly the members of the Order of St. Michael,” recalls Ode e on his impetus for giving back. “It's an important award because a student interested in math should have an experience of how mathematicians do math, to evaluate their options for a career in math. is award is meant to make that experience available.” e goal behind the award is to encourage strongly motivated students to explore the creative world of mathematics in-depth in a supportive community of peers, counsellors, research mathematicians, and visiting scientists.

“Maths, to me, evokes the joy of play - fun and voluntary, and with a big role for the imagination. And math is not isolated problem solving, but shared social exploration,” says Ode e.

“ e Fr. Whelan Award gives a student the freedom to be inspired

Zhang a ended a three-week residential programme at Columbia University from June 26 to July 14. Columbia, well-known for its academics and, being a research centre, is exactly the opportunity that the Ode e and Ga ney wished to provide a St. Michael’s student.

Ode e and Zhang will have the chance to meet face-to-face in the fall to catch-up and discuss this unique opportunity.

If you are interested in creating a speci c experience for a current student, we invite you to contact the Advancement O ce to discuss the possibilities: advancement@smcsmail.com.