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Pólya Lectures

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