Howard Kibble Hughes was an Iowa native who earned the A. B. and M. S. degrees in mathematics from the University of Iowa; spent a short time at the University of Kansas, and then received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1930. He began a long and distinguished teaching career at Purdue University in 1928, over the course of which he authored a trigonometry text, published a number of papers, and guided eight students to the Ph.D. in mathematics. Upon his retirement from Purdue in 1968, Dr. Hughes came to Valparaiso University, where he enjoyed three very happy years with us.

Dr. Hughes always remembered with pride his participation in a mathematics competition at the University of Iowa that resulted in the awarding of the Louden Prize. And so... Dr. Hughes resolved to contribute sufficient funds to Valparaiso so that recognition might be given for achievement in mathematics at Valparaiso University.

To make possible the participation of science and engineering students, as well as mathematics students, Dr. Hughes declared that the purpose of the competition would be to determine the student showing the greatest proficiency in the first four calculus courses.

It is with much pride, and the warm memory of a gentle colleague, that we are privileged to award the Hughes Mathematics Prize.

Spencer Roach & William Sheline

Howard K. Hughes Recipients