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Penn State Eberly College of Science
October 14, 1998
Mathematics Professor Retires After 38 Years of Service to the University
Donald C. Rung, professor emeritus of mathematics, has retired from the Eberly College of Science after 38 years of service. After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree from Niagara University in 1954, he received both a master of science degree in mathematics in 1957 and a doctoral degree in mathematics in 1961 from University of Notre Dame. Rung joined the Penn State faculty in 1961 as an assistant professor of mathematics, becoming associate professor in 1966, then professor in 1972.
A theoretical mathematician, Rung's research interests focus on functions of complex variables, specifically those functions that are restricted to a circle of radius one and center at the origin of a two-dimensional plane. His research includes solving problems relating to the behavior of these functions as they approach the circumference of this circle. Collaborating with J. S. Hwang, Rung solved a long-standing problem that was posed in the 1930's by the noted probabalist, J. L. Doob. He also collaborated with S. Dragosh to create a simpler, more direct proof of the intricate theorem, the Gross cluster value theorem, making it more accessible to other mathematicians.
Before his retirement, Rung served the University as chair or a member of many college or university committees, several of which include the Executive Committee, the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President, the Public Policy Institute Advisory Committee, and the University Faculty Senate. He also served as Associate Head and Head of the Department of Mathematics.
Among his many awards, Rung received a Senior Fulbright-Hays Lectureship in Mathematics at Tsing-hau University, Republic of China, from 1967 to 1968, the McKay Donkin Award for his outstanding contributions to the welfare of the faculty of Penn State in 1989, and the Teresa Cohen Award for his contributions to the Mathematics Department in 1990. Rung is the author or coauthor of 22 research articles and is a member of the American Mathematical Society.
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