MAA Announces 2026 Mohammad K. Azarian Award Recipients

The Mathematical Association of America is proud to announce that Rolando Seclén and Michael Elgersma have been awarded the 2026 Mohammad K. Azarian Award.

Mohammad K. Azarian Award

The Mohammad K. Azarian Award recognizes individuals who contribute to the advancement of mathematics through their exceptional ability to craft innovative problems featured in MAA publications and the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC).

About This Year's Recipients

Rolando Seclén and Michael Elgersma — American Mathematical Monthly Problem 12446

Problem proposal: Problems and Solutions. The American Mathematical Monthly, 131(2), 170–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029890.2024.2279472

Problem solution: Problems and Solutions. The American Mathematical Monthly, 132(9), 930–940. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029890.2025.2542705

Seclén and Elgersma's problem poses a deceptively simple question: if two people of the same proportions but different heights are walking toward each other on a small spherical planet, who sees the other first? The answer is far from obvious, and the path to it is surprisingly rich, touching on elementary geometry and leading to an unexpected appearance of the golden ratio.

Upon receiving recognition, Rolando stated, “This problem reaffirmed something I value deeply: in mathematics, as in teaching, the simplest questions like”who sees whom first?”often open the door to deeper ideas. 

Additionally, Michael added, “The Mathematical Association of America journals have many interesting problems, often accompanied by interesting figures that catch my attention. Linear algebra is especially useful in generalizing low-dimensional geometric problems to higher dimensions.”

Learn more about MAA prizes and submit a nomination. 

About MAA
The Mathematical Association of America is the world’s largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts. We accelerate our understanding of our world through mathematics because mathematics drives society and shapes our lives. Learn more at maa.org.