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Ellen Maycock
Born (1950-09-15) September 15, 1950 (age 74)
Maryland, U.S.
Education Wellesley College (BA)
Purdue University (MS, PhD)
Occupation
  • Mathematician
  • educator

Ellen Johnston Maycock, born on September 15, 1950, in Maryland, is an American mathematician and a teacher of mathematics. She used to be a special professor of mathematics at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Her work in math focused on a field called functional analysis, which is a branch of mathematics.

Becoming a Mathematician

Ellen Maycock studied at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In 1972, she earned her first degree in mathematics and economics.

She then went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. There, she received her master's degree in mathematics in 1974. Later, in 1986, she earned her Ph.D. in mathematics from the same university.

Teaching and New Ideas

After teaching at Wellesley for two years, Maycock joined DePauw University in 1988. She started as an assistant professor and became a full professor in 2001.

She is known for her creative ways of teaching math, especially a subject called abstract algebra. She created workshops to help other teachers learn new and exciting ways to teach.

Maycock also used computer programs in her classes. For example, she used software called "Exploring Small Groups" to help students understand abstract algebra better. She also brought computer technology into courses on geometry and analysis.

Helping the Math Community

Ellen Maycock has been very active in important math organizations. She worked on the editorial boards for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). This group helps promote math education and research.

She also served on committees for the American Mathematical Society (AMS). This is a big group for mathematicians in the United States.

From 2005 to 2015, Maycock worked as an associate executive director for the AMS. In this role, she helped organize meetings and programs for mathematicians. She also worked to improve how the public views the math profession.

Maycock was also part of a project called INGenIOuS. This project worked to find ways to encourage more math students to join the workforce after they finish school.

Awards and Recognition

In 2003, DePauw University honored Ellen Maycock with a special award. She was named the Johnson Family University Professor. This award recognized her excellent teaching, her service to the university, and her achievements in mathematics.

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