2024 - 2025 Award Recipients

The 2024-25 Vernon Kramer Memorial Service Award winners are: Chase Brown (no picture), Christina Grossack, Kevin Gao, Khoi Vo, and Shane Rankin. Thank you so much, we truly appreciate your extensive support of the UCR math community this year.

Christina stands out for helping shape the culture of the department through her: mentorship; advocacy; and vibrant, welcoming personality. She is appreciated both within and outside the department for her mentoring in the Building Bridges to the Professoriate program, her advocacy as a founding member of UCR’s chapter of Spectra, her advice as a panelist on the Choosing a PhD Advisor Panel, her volunteering at Preview Day, and for sharing her passion for mathematics through discussions with peers and via her blog.

Kevin is reliable, dependable, trustworthy, and can always be counted on to support the department. This academic year, he graciously assisted the department with graduate student recruitment at 6 events: MathFest, CA Diversity Forum, Cal-Bridge Conference, Field of Dreams Conference, Math Grad Open House, and Math Grad Preview Day. In addition, he met with prospective and admitted students via Zoom when needed.

Khoi is recognized for his outstanding service and leadership within the department. As a Recruiting Ambassador for Applied Math, he played a vital role in welcoming and guiding prospective PhD students. In his role as SIAM President, Khoi organized events and actively supported student reading groups and activities. He also contributed significantly as a volunteer for departmental conferences, helping to ensure their success through his dedication and initiative..

Shane consistently supported the mathematical community in various capacities this academic year. He helped extensively with graduate student recruitment by meeting with prospective students on Zoom and assisting in recruitment at 4 events: CA Diversity Forum, SACNAS, Math Grad Open House, and Math Grad Preview Day. Shane also supported current math graduate and undergraduate students by frequenting graduate students' offices to check on peers and clarify topics, by offering advice when desired, by advocating for transfer students, and by revitalizing the Math Club

Chase has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting the department’s graduate program. His positive presence and insightful responses during the quarterly Virtual Program Information Sessions have greatly supported prospective master's students. Chase’s willingness to serve on graduate student panels each quarter and assist with recruitment efforts demonstrates his dedication. Additionally, his volunteer work organizing applied mathematics conferences in Spring 2025 has been essential to their success.