St. John’s Hosts High School Students during Annual Celebration of Pioneering Female Mathematician

Held throughout the country by colleges and universities, Sonia Kovalevsky Days celebrate the first woman in modern Europe to earn a doctorate in mathematics, the first to join the editorial board of a scientific journal, and the first appointed professor of mathematics. 

St. John’s University hosted Sonia Kovalevsky Day—which encourages high school students to continue the study of mathematics—on May 16 on the Queens, NY, campus, its first after several years. More than 60 10th and 11th grade students and several chaperones from Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, NY, and the William H. Maxwell Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn, NY, participated. 

During her life, Ms. Kovalevsky gained a reputation as a writer, an advocate of women’s rights, and a champion of radical political causes. She composed novels, plays, and essays, including the autobiographical Memories of Childhood (1890) and The Nihilist Woman (1892), depicting her life in Russia.

Teresa Delgado, Ph.D., Dean, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, welcomed students to the event. “It was wonderful to see so many high school students with whom we were able to share our passion for mathematics education,” she said. “I am confident that their experience at St. John’s—with our supportive and affirming professors—was much different from when I was hoping to pursue math in college. It was a great day to be a math lover.” 

“I am very happy that we were able to restart this tradition at St. John’s and to have such a great turnout,” said David Rosenthal, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “It was fun to be a part of, and I look forward to hosting Sonia Kovalevsky Day again next year.”

This sentiment was echoed by Joan E. DeBello, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Computer Science, Mathematics and Science, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS). “I was thrilled to bring back this event and see many high school students appreciating mathematics in everyday life.” 

Sarah Moore ’15C, Solutions Engineer at Arria NLG, served as keynote speaker. “I was so pleased to be invited to speak at the Sonia Kovalevsky Day event. Throughout my career journey, I have seen how math is applied across industries and fields. Studying mathematics can open so many doors for students down the line.”

Zack Varley, a Kellenberg Memorial High School junior, said, “This was a good experience to expand my view on various aspects of mathematics. I also learned some new things. We participated in math games and did several cool tricks. I know a few people who currently attend St. John’s, and today’s event gave me a great impression of the University and professors.” 

“We invited high school partners to campus today for a day full of math fun, and we delivered,” noted Jacqueline H. Grogan ’90SVC, ’95MBA, ’01PD, ’10Ed.D., Associate Provost for Enrollment Partnerships and Engagement. 

Students attended workshops and a lunch-and-learn activity, where math puzzles were solved under the supervision of St. John’s student assistants and the day ended with the presentation of certificates. Workshops were presented by faculty members from several Schools and Colleges within the University, including St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management. Insurance and Actuarial Science, and CCPS.

“During the lunch-and-learn activity it was fascinating to see how the high school students worked on their problem sets and were able to ask questions and interact with current St. John's students. I look forward to working on this project annually,” Dr. DeBello added.

Gabriella Cruz, also a junior from Kellenberg, stated, “The event was organized really well. I am taking calculus now and the presentations in my group tied things in nicely with random numbers we worked on in class at Kellenberg. The classroom presentations were very interesting too. I know someone who works at St. John’s University, and the school was on my radar to consider after graduation next year. Now it is at the top of my list.” 

This event was a collaboration between the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science; Computer Science, Mathematics and Science, the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science; the Offices of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Enrollment Management, Institutional Research, and Marketing and Communications; and the Division of Special and Opportunity Programs.

“In addition to the internal collaboration, the University received financial support from the Patrina Foundation and the University’s Clare Boothe Luce Program. “I am grateful for everyone’s participation and support, especially the Patrina Foundation,” Dr. Grogan stressed. 

Mary Beth Farrell, a Kellenberg Memorial High School mathematics teacher, reflected upon the day. “Our kids really enjoyed being a part of Sonia Kovalevsky Day at St. John’s,” she said. “I was impressed with how many professors participated in the program. The students loved the interactive presentations and being challenged academically, and they thrived in competing against each other with brainteasers. We would certainly want to be invited back again.”