June 21, 2002 UNT Inhouse publication: Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science selects new assistant dean

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Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science selects new assistant dean

John Ed Allen, former chair of the UNT Department of Mathematics, has been named the new assistant dean/director of academic programs for UNT's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. His appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Allen will replace Manus Donahue, who served in the position since TAMS was established in 1987. Donahue, who was also a professor of biological sciences at UNT, is retiring.

In his new position, Allen will assist in developing the TAMS curriculum, serve as a liaison between TAMS and UNT faculty, provide academic support services for TAMS students, help students enroll and register for classes and select students and sites for the academy's summer research program.

Richard Sinclair, dean of TAMS, says the academy will benefit from Allen's years as a math professor and administrator.

"Since math is such an important part of the academy curriculum, his insight will be invaluable to the students," Sinclair says.

Allen has taught TAMS students since the academy opened its doors.

"I have admired how the staff has developed it into perhaps the leading program of its kind in the nation. It will be an honor to serve as assistant dean and work with Dr. Sinclair and his staff to maintain the academic quality and integrity of the program," Allen says.

Allen first joined the UNT mathematics faculty in 1963. From June 1971 to August 1972 he was on faculty development leave at Purdue University, where he studied computer science and numerical analysis through a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellowship.

Allen became chair of the UNT Department of Mathematics in 1976 and served for 23 years. When he began his tenure as chair, the department had stopped its doctoral and master's degree programs, resulting in no graduate students in the department. Under Allen's leadership, the department reinstated the programs and brought the number of graduate students to an average of 60 per academic year.

The department also increased its amount of research dollars awarded to faculty from zero in 1976 to about $800,000 per academic year today. The department has hosted regional meetings of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America as well as the International Joint Meeting of the American Mathematical Society and the Mexican Mathematical Society.

During the 1980s, the department established the Millican Lecture Series through an endowment given by department alumnus Olin Millican. The series brings 12 to 15 visiting lecturers to campus each academic year to work with faculty on research projects and give lectures to faculty and graduate students.

Allen stepped down as the math department chair in 1999 to return to full-time teaching. He has since served on the Undergraduate Affairs Committee and the University Core Assessment Committee.

He was selected for the state Mathematics Advisory Committee for the Texas Academic Skills Program and the State Board for Educator Certification Committee, which was charged with developing new standards for the certification of mathematics teachers. In addition, Allen assisted in developing requirements for preparation of mathematics teachers as a member of the joint committee of Texas Association of Academic Administrators in the Mathematical Sciences and Texas Association of Colleges in Teacher Education.

He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Louisiana State University and his master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Oklahoma State University.