2020 Retiring Faculty

Mark Schwartz

Beatrice K. McDowell Professor of Mathematics
(1986-2020)

Mark Schwartz graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He completed a Ph.D. in mathematics at Northwestern University in 1983, specializing in the area of probability theory under the direction of Alexandra Bellow. Mark held a brief academic appointment in mathematics at The Ohio State University, and an even briefer professional actuarial appointment at Nationwide Insurance before joining the faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University in 1986.

Mark’s teaching and research interests have evolved over time and vary from the continuous to the discrete, and span virtually the whole of the mathematics curriculum, and some of computer science. His diverse interests characterize an intellectual curiosity that infuses his teaching at every level, allowing him to offer rich courses that are academic rather than algorithmic. This curiosity has also led to regular reinvention of how he teaches his courses. For example, his relatively recent interest in computer geometry software led to a modernization of his geometry course.

Beyond the classroom, Mark has mentored deeply rewarding and collaborative research experiences that have sometimes been career-impacting or even singular highlights of a student’s OWU experience. He and 2014 graduate Ben Letson coauthored a manuscript that appeared in Mathematics Magazine in which they examined connections between geometric and analytical solutions to a classical optimization problem. Of Mark’s influence, Ben writes:

I learned a lot of good habits from Mark, many of which became central to the way that I approach abstract mathematics and problem solving in general. Mark taught me the value of drawing a good picture to get a handle on an abstract problem. As an advisor, Mark did an incredible job encouraging my curiosity and interest in problem solving. We spent a lot of time in his office discussing everything from Grundlagen der Geometrie to dogs solving calculus problems. The research that Mark and I did together set me up for success in graduate school and beyond. Mark was central to my wonderful experience at OWU and a major force in helping me discover that I wanted to be a mathematician.

Mark’s professional and university service work includes refereeing academic and pedagogic manuscripts, membership in the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America, terms as department chair, and service on various faculty governance committees. For decades he has fostered student interest in mathematics through the organization of departmental activities, such as the department’s participation in the national Putnam Exam. His personal interests are no less diverse – he runs marathons, swims vast distances, and lifts great masses. He owns race Labrador retrievers and racehorses.

In encouraging his students to learn through curiosity and reflection, in challenging himself to renew his courses through new discovery, in discovering deep connections between seemingly disparate subdisciplines, Mark’s teaching and scholarship truly personify the liberal arts tradition. His understated and keen sense of humor, quiet and unassuming nature, generous collegiality, and kindness have made friends of his colleagues and have contributed to the department’s long tradition of warm collegiality.