Thursday, April 1, 2010
PRINCESS ANNE, MD- Adonis Ajayi, a mathematics major graduating with an overall 3.59 grade point average, is the recipient of this year’s Daniel J. Pinkett Award in Mathematics.
Presented by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, the Pinkett Award is a gift of $2,500 that is given to a graduating mathematics major who has excelled in the field.
The award was established by Alice B. Macleod in memory of Professor Daniel J. Pinkett, who taught mathematics under the leadership of Frank J. Trigg, principal (1902-1910) of Princess Anne Academy, which evolved into UMES.
Ajayi’s passion for mathematics started in high school. He registered for every math class that his school offered.
Early in his senior year, Ajayi’s calculus instructor took notice of his developing math skills and encouraged him to pursue a degree in mathematics.
Upon his completion of a one-year STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program at UMES, he was admitted into the Honors Program.
“Enrolling at UMES was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” said Ajayi, who placed first in the 2008 annual Math and Computer Science UG Programming Contest and is the 2009 recipient of the Gamma Theta Boule Scholarship.
Ajayi is also a member in the UMES National Association of African American Honor’s Program, the Golden Key National Honour Society and the Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honors Society. Additionally, he participates in volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity.
Ajayi said his educational goal is to receive his master’s and Ph.D. in mathematics.
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Pictured from left to right, Adonis Ajayi, receives the Daniel J. Pinkett Award in Mathematics from Dr. Charles Williams, vice president for academic affairs at UMES.
Candice Evans, UMES Office of Public Relations, (410) 651-6669, caevans1@umes.edu
Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, (410) 651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu
