The Fields Medal
There is no Nobel Prize for mathematics. Mathematics’ international equivalent is the Fields Medal, which is awarded every four years to (traditionally young — under 40 year-old) mathematicians for deep work of broad impact already accomplished and for the promise of more to come. In addition to super-star status in the scientific community, Fields Medal recipients receive six-figure monetary gifts.
The Lebon Prize, the Hoffman Calculus Award & the Bootstrap Award
Each June, the BC Mathematics Department celebrates outstanding student achievement in mathematics with three awards. :
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The Lebon Prize:
(“Nobel” spelled backward (since mathematicians cannot win the Nobel)) This is awarded to students with outstanding achievement in Mathematics. To be eligible, the student(s) must have had at least two of our 200-level classes, one of which must be Math 208, 238, 240, or 270. This award is for the “best of the best” and is usually given to 1 or 2 people.
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The Hoffman Calculus Award:
This Award recognizes outstanding achievement in calculus. Eligibility for the award requires successful completion of Calculus III (Math 153) in the current academic year, including the summer semester, with a grade of “A”. Up to three students may be selected for this award annually. The award honors the memory of Dale Hoffman, a beloved colleague, mentor, and friend who served as a mathematics professor for many years and regularly taught calculus.
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The Bootstrap Award:
This award is for any student who had to start at BC in the pre-college math sequence and has managed to make it all the way through at least one calculus class with relatively high achievement. This award is for the hard-working student who “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.” There are generally 2-3 winners.
Last Updated June 9, 2023