Ron Buckmire facts for kids

Ron Buckmire, born in 1968, is a talented mathematician from Grenada. He was also a chess champion in Barbados. He works to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has equal rights.

He used to lead the math department at Occidental College. From 2018 to 2022, he helped guide what students learned at Occidental College as an Associate Dean. In March 2024, he became the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist University in New York.

Early Life and School

Buckmire was born in 1968 in Grenville, Grenada. In 1969, his family moved to the United States. His father was studying for his Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1978, they moved to Barbados.

There, Ron went to high school at the Combermere School. He returned to the United States in 1986. He attended the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He earned his first degree in mathematics in just three years. He then completed his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1994. His Ph.D. research was about how air flows around objects at high speeds.

Career in Mathematics

In 1994, Ron Buckmire started working at Occidental College. He began as a researcher. In 1996, he became an assistant professor. He was promoted in 2004 and led the math department from 2005 to 2010.

His work involves using computers to study how liquids and gases move. He also looks at how math can explain unusual things, like how well movies do financially.

Working at the National Science Foundation

From 2011 to 2013, Buckmire worked at the National Science Foundation (NSF). He helped manage programs for college education. After returning to Occidental, he became a Full Professor in 2014. He also served as interim department chair for a while.

In 2016, he went back to the NSF as a Lead Program Director until 2018. In 2021, he became the first Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for SIAM. His role as Associate Dean at Occidental College ended in August 2022. In August 2024, Buckmire started his role as Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist University.

Research in Applied Math

Ron Buckmire's research is in applied mathematics. This means he uses math to solve real-world problems. He often studies how to find numerical solutions for different types of math equations. He has published many papers. These papers show how to use special math methods to find approximate solutions to complex equations.

Working for Fairness

Buckmire is also known for his work as an activist for fairness and equal rights. He shared an important part of his identity during college in the late 1980s. He learned more about different identities through the early internet.

He became very active in student groups at RPI. He was president of the Rensselaer Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Association. He also helped start the Women Students Association. In 1991, he created the Queer Resources Directory. This was an online place for information about sexual minorities. In the 1990s, he managed several online discussion groups about these topics.

He also reached out through radio. He helped create a local radio show called Homo Radio at RPI. Later, he contributed to This Way Out, a national radio news show. He also organized a group for people interested in math and equal rights. This group grew into Spectra.

Awards and Recognition

In 2011, Buckmire received the NOGLSTP GLBTA Educator of the Year award. This award recognizes educators who support gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied students. He was also honored by Mathematically Gifted & Black in 2018. In 2023, he was chosen to be part of the SIAM Fellows.

Personal Life

From a young age, Ron Buckmire loved playing competitive chess. He won the Barbados Junior Champion title four times. He also became the National Champion three times. By 1997, he was ranked as a senior master. He was one of the top 250 chess players in the United States.

Buckmire is married to Dean Elzinga. Dean used to be a professional opera singer. Now, he works as a data scientist at IBM Research.

See also

In Spanish: Ron Buckmire para niños