The New Jersey Epsilon chapter at St. Peter’s University has been honored as the recipient of the 2025 Pi Mu Epsilon (PME) Poiani Infinity Award. The award was presented by PME President Chad Awtrey on January 8th at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Seattle, WA. Accepting the award on behalf of NJ Epsilon were chapter members Isabelle Bautista ’25 and Aakash Pandey ’25. Also in attendance at the award presentation was the founder of the award, and former PME President, Eileen Poiani.
This prestigious award celebrates PME chapters that demonstrate excellence in engaging students, organizing impactful events, and cultivating a strong mathematical community.
Poiani said her goal in establishing the award was to help the PME Council “recognize those chapters that have a proven record of enthusiastically moving the boundary of mathematical achievement forward through innovative programs and activities.” Established in memory of her parents, Hugo and Eileen, the Poiani Infinity Award reflects their belief in the power of education and the importance of a solid foundation in mathematics for everyone in all walks of life.
“It’s strengthened our resolve to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Dawn Nelson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Mathematics & Statistics department at St. Peter’s University. “Traditionally, most of our students are first-generation college students and/or students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM. Despite these challenges, New Jersey Epsilon has helped our students transform these challenges into rewards.”
The chapter has organized several recent events that highlight the real-world applications of mathematics. In April 2024, they hosted one of the Principal Investigators from NASA’s Climate Change Research Initiative, complementing their May 2023 trip to Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Nelson stated that “These activities allowed students to see another use for their mathematical skills that they may not have previously dreamed of. They also showed the students the power and reach of mathematics.”
Looking ahead, the New Jersey Epsilon chapter is committed to continuing its tradition of excellence. Per Nelson, “We’ll continue to host unusual and dynamic speakers, and we’ll encourage more students to attend the Garden State Undergraduate Math Conference held every spring in New Jersey.”
PME President Awtrey praised the chapter’s efforts, stating “For nearly 50 years, the New Jersey Epsilon chapter at St. Peter’s University has been engaging its PME members in the scholarship and practice of mathematics, including regularly sending students to present at PME’s national conference. This sustained record of mathematical activity is exemplary, and I applaud the community at St. Peter’s University for their commitment to excellence in mathematics and to student success.”