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Penn State Eberly College of Science
November 3, 1998
Mathematics Professor Retires After 44 Years of Service to the University
Mary McCammon, professor emerita of mathematics, has retired from the Eberly College of Science after 44 years of service. McCammon has played a key role in the development of the Penn State undergraduate mathematics curriculum. She has been teaching mathematics at the University since 1954, introducing such new classes as numerical analysis and computer programming. In the 1960s, she developed the mathematics departmentÕs precalculus courses, made changes to the calculus-course series, and introduced the use of graphing calculators and personal computers. She also was involved with the establishment of computer-science courses in the Department of Mathematics and went on to help establish the Department of Computer Science in 1965. Throughout her career, McCammon has been well known for her personal concern for her students and her excellent and exacting teaching methods. "I was tough but fair and I loved teaching," she says. "Yes, the students had to work hard, and yes, they had to earn their grades."
Most recently, she has served as director of undergraduate programs and the scheduling officer for the Department of Mathematics. In addition, she improved the mathematics placement test given to every first-year student and has continually revised this test since its inception over 35 years ago.
"Mary McCammon has brought honor to the Department of Mathematics through her professionalism, her energy, and her citizenship," says Gary L. Mullen, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics. "She has brought the joy and discipline of scholarship to her students through her enthusiasm, knowledge, and personal interest."
McCammon said she has seen many changes during her career at Penn State, including the expansion of the mathematics department and the University. "I've enjoyed my stay at Penn State and hope to continue to help students complete their programs successfully," she says.
McCammon has been honored with numerous awards. In 1998, during the ceremony when she received the C.I. Noll Award for Teaching given by the Eberly College of Science Student Council and Alumni Society, the audience stood up and cheered. She also won the Eberly College of Science Alumni Society Distinguished Service Award for her inspiring teaching and advising in 1991, the Teresa Cohen Service Award for her work in the Department of Mathematics in 1984, and the Christian R. and Mary Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1982. The Allied Signal Corporation recently donated funds for two scholarships in McCammon's name.
McCammon has been an active member of the Mathematical Association of America, serving as chair of the text-production committee and consultant to the committee on testing, among other positions. In addition, she is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the American Mathematical Society.
She earned three degrees from the University of London in England, including the bachelor of science in 1949, the master of science in 1950, and a doctorate in 1953. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1953 to 1954, she joined Penn State as an assistant professor of mathematics. She was promoted to associate professor in 1960 and to professor in 1992.
McCammon plans to continue her work with students, both as an advisor and as a tutor. She also will spend more time on her hobbies, which include gardening, playing tennis, visiting the fitness center, and practicing yoga.
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