Berkesch and Rogness honored with College of Science and Engineering faculty awards
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (4/15/2026) – Two School of Mathematics faculty members have been recently celebrated with special recognition from the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering. Professor Christine Berkesch has been honored with the Charles E. Bowers Faculty Teaching Award, and Associate Professor Jonathan Rogness has earned the George W. Taylor Distinguished Service Award.
Berkesch, a member of the Mathematics faculty since 2013, is an expert in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. Her research explores homological questions about structure resulting from a group action. This work uses induced gradings and the combinatorics of orbits to better understand and compute key algebro-geometric invariants.
In the classroom, Berkesch has taught courses like Introduction to Modern Algebra, Calculus, and Commutative Algebra. She is recognized by the School of Mathematics as an excellent teacher, mentor, and positive change-maker. Her most recent teaching accomplishments include development of a new course, "Mathematics in Society" and leadership of the redesign of Math 3283W from an inclusive active learning approach.
Rogness serves the School of Mathematics as an Associate Professor and the Director of Educational Programs for the Mathematics Center for Educational Programs (MathCEP). Over the course of his career, he has been a leader in stewarding the highly successful University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP), which received the Award for an Exemplary Program from the American Mathematical Society. Annually, UMTYMP brings more than 500 students from across the metro-area to campus to engage in college-level coursework taught by UMN mathematicians.
In addition to his work developing and leading UMTYMP, Rogness has served as an advisor to numerous MathCEP postdoctoral associates and MS students. His mentorship within the center’s unique context gives students and postdocs valuable hands-on experience in K-12 learning and mathematics pedagogy. Rogness has also been active in the broader mathematical community, including running the Heuer Team Contest for schools across the Math Association of America's North Central Section.
About the Charles E. Bowers Faculty Teaching Award
Established in 2000 by alumnus John Bowers (Physics '76) in honor of his father, Professor Emeritus Charles E. Bowers, this award recognizes an outstanding CSE professor who has demonstrated exceptional interest and commitment to teaching.
About the George W. Taylor Award for Distinguished Service
Established in 1982, the Taylor Award for Distinguished Service recognizes outstanding service to the University and voluntary public service to governmental or other public groups.
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