Three UCalgary mathematics professors join the Canadian Mathematical Society’s inaugural class of Fellows

Recently, Robert Woodrow, Peter Lancaster and Bill Sands were among 49 Canadians named to the CMS Inaugural Class of Fellows, recognizing mathematicians who have made significant contributions to the profession and to the Canadian Mathematical Society.  These professors have and continue to positively influence our students, alumni and community through their passion for mathematical sciences. 

Robert Woodrow is a strong advocate for mathematical research and education and is an active member of the CMS. He has been at UCalgary since 1980, and is also a proud alumnus ’71. His research focuses on Structural Ramsey Theory and the group actions of the topological group of automorphisms. During his time at the university, he has received the Order of the University of Calgary (2010), held a number of senior administrative positions with both the faculty (department head, vice-dean) and the university (vice-provost). Most recently, he served a three year term as head of the department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Bill Sands, professor emeritus, has a passion for mathematical outreach and education. In the early 2000s he helped train many of Canada’s “mathletes” in his role as the chair of the  CMS's International Mathematical Olympiad program - the world championship of high school mathematics competitions. Before that, he was the Editor of the CMS's problems journal "Crux Mathematicorum" for ten years. Locally, Sands remains heavily involved in math enrichment through the Alberta High School Mathematics Competition and the Calgary Junior Math Contest, and weekly departmental Math Nights. Sands' mathematical research has been mostly in combinatorics, especially partial orders and lattices.

Peter Lancaster, professor emeritus, has been a part of UCalgary since 1962, when the university was the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta. His research interests revolve around matrix analysis motivated by problems from the theory of vibrations, stability, systems theory and control, signal processing, and numerical analysis. This has also led to the publication of several textbooks and monographs, as well as many research papers. He has been lauded for his exceptional contributions to mathematics through his work with the CMS (president from 1979 to 1981), the International Linear Algebra Society, as well as the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1984. 

“To be part of this esteemed group of Canadian mathematicians reflects Robert’s, Bill’s and Peter’s standing as distinguished researchers, educators and leaders in the mathematical sciences community,” added Antony Ware, head of the department of mathematics and statistics. “I know the Faculty of Science community joins me in congratulating them on this achievement.”