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Paul Zorn biography

Paul Zorn

Paul Zorn is a professor of mathematics at St. Olaf College. Born, raised, and schooled through high school in Tamil Nadu, India, Zorn moved to the U.S. to attend Washington University in Saint Louis, majoring in mathematics and English. His did his PhD work, in several complex variables, at the University of Washington, Seattle, under the direction of Edgar Lee Stout. In 1981 he joined the faculty of St. Olaf, where he chaired the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science from 2004 to 2010. He has also taught at Purdue University.

Zorn's professional interests include complex analysis, mathematical exposition, textbook writing, and the role of mathematics among the liberal arts. He is also interested in using computer graphics and computer algebra systems to help students learn and explore mathematical ideas.

His 1986 paper "The Bieberbach Conjecture" was awarded the 1987 Carl B. Allendoerfer Award for mathematical exposition.

He has co-authored several textbooks with his St. Olaf colleague, Arnold Ostebee, including Calculus From Numerical, Graphical, and Symbolic Points of View, 2nd edition (two volumes, 2001) and Multivariable Calculus From Numerical, Graphical, and Symbolic Points of View (2002). His most recent book is Understanding Real Analysis (AK Peters, 2010).

Zorn has served on many MAA committees and programs over the years. From 1996 to 2000, he was Editor of MAA's expository journal Mathematics Magazine. In 2008 and 2009 he served as chair of MAA's Council on Publications.

Outside of work hours Zorn enjoys travel, nature, golf, politics, all of the arts, and all rice-based cuisines. He and his wife, Janet, a pediatric occupational therapist, have two grown daughters, both named for Austen heroines.