George Pólya, renowned teacher and writer, embodied the high quality of exposition that the MAA seeks to encourage. To further this goal, the George Pólya Lectureship was created in 1991. Each Section is entitled to a Pólya Lecture for a Section meeting approximately once every three years.
See the schedule of when each Section is eligible for a Pólya Lecture.
Click here if you are a Pólya Lecturer and need information on how to request travel reimbursement.
View lecturer bios
List of Lecturers
2023-2024
Po-Shen Loh, Carnegie Mellon University
Deanna Haunsperger, Carleton College
Sarah Greenwald, Appalachian State University
2022-2023
Deanna Haunsperger, Carleton College
Sarah Greenwald, Appalachian State University
Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College
2021-2022
Sarah Greenwald, Appalachian State University
Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College
2020-2021
Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College
Charles Hadlock, Bentley University
2019-2020
Charles Hadlock, Bentley University
Kristin Lauter, Microsoft Research
2018-2019
Kristin Lauter, Microsoft Research
Carlos Castillo-Chavez, Arizona State University
2017-2018
Carlos Castillo-Chavez, Arizona State University
Ken Ono, Emory University
2016-2017
Ken Ono, Emory University
Erica Flapan, Pomona College
2015-2016
William Dunham, Muhlenberg College
Erica Flapan, Pomona College
2014-2015
Ruth Charney, Brandeis University
William Dunham, Muhlenberg College
2013-2014
Ruth Charney, Brandeis University
Ravi Vakil, Stanford University
2012-2013
Jeffrey Lagarias, University of Michigan
Ravi Vakil, Stanford University
2011-2012
Erik Demaine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jeffrey Lagarias, University of Michigan
2010-2011
Erik Demaine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Judy Walker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2009-2010
Louis H. Kauffman, University of Illinois at Chicago
Judy Walker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2008-2009
George Andrews, The Pennsylvania State University
Louis H. Kauffman, University of Illinois at Chicago
2007-2008
George Andrews, The Pennsylvania State University
Art Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College
2006-2007
Art Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College
Bernd Sturmfels, University of California, Berkeley
2005-2006
Steven Rudich, Carnegie Mellon University
Bernd Sturmfels, University of California, Berkeley
2004-2005
I. Martin Isaacs, University of Wisconsin
Steven Rudich, Carnegie Mellon University
2003-2004
David Bressoud, Macalester College
I. Martin Isaacs, University of Wisconsin
2002-2003
David Bressoud, Macalester College
Edward Burger, Williams College
2001-2002
Georgia Benkart, University of Wisconsin
Edward Burger, Williams College
2000-2001
Georgia Benkart, University of Wisconsin
Joseph A. Gallian, University of Minnesota, Duluth
1999-2000
Colin Adams, Williams College
Joseph A. Gallian, University of Minnesota, Duluth
1998-1999
Colin Adams, Williams College
Ronald L. Graham, AT&T
1997-1998
Laszlo Babai, University of Chicago and Eotvos University
Ronald L. Graham, AT&T
1996-1978
Laszlo Babai, University of Chicago and Eotvos University
Underwood Dudley, DePauw University
1995-1996
Underwood Dudley, DePauw University
Robert Osserman, Stanford University
1994-1995
Robert Osserman, Stanford University
Carl Pomerance, University of Georgia
1993-1994
Carl Pomerance, University of Georgia
Patricia K. Rogers, York University
1992-1993
John H. Ewing, Indiana University
Patricia K. Rogers, York University
1991-1992
John H. Ewing, Indiana University