A List
12/6/04

MATHEMATICS CHAIR CREATED AT SLU WITH GIFT FROM TEXAS COUPLE

CANTON – The Martha E. and Gregg E. Peterson Endowed Chair in Mathematics has been 
established at St. Lawrence University by the Petersons, of Georgetown, Texas. 
Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics Duncan J. Melville has 
been named to the position.
      Through a generous gift of $1.5 million, the Petersons established the chair 
to honor and support an outstanding faculty member in mathematics. The professorship 
may be held for a 10-year term.
      A graduate of the University of London, Melville earned two master's degrees 
and the Ph.D. at Yale University. He joined the faculty at St. Lawrence in 1991, 
and has published widely in mathematics, mathematics history and philosophy. Specific 
research fields of Melville's include Lie algebras, Mesopotamian mathematics and 
ancient and classical mathematics, and many of his most recent publications are on 
the topic of quantum deformations. Melville is the Frank P. Piskor Faculty Lecturer 
for 2005, and will give a campus lecture in the spring on the topic "Teaching and 
Learning Mathematics in Mesopotamia."
	Martha Root Peterson, a native of Colton, is a 1962 graduate of St. Lawrence, 
with a degree in mathematics. In 2003, she retired from her position as an engineer 
in the Aeromechanics Branch of NASA's Rotorcraft Division. Martha Peterson had worked 
for NASA since 1982, developing software for use in aeronautics, especially for 
designing more efficient rotary wing aircraft systems. Prior to working at NASA, she 
had worked for a number of technology firms, including Texas Instruments. Martha 
Peterson began her career as a high school mathematics teacher.
	Gregg E. Peterson was until his recent retirement Vice President and Chief 
Operating Officer of QlikTech, a Scandinavian firm that provides software solutions 
for information warehousing, business intelligence and electronic archiving.
	President Daniel F. Sullivan stated, "Martha and Gregg Peterson have made a 
very generous and inspiring gift to St. Lawrence University. We have accomplished a 
great deal in the last several years towards our goal of expanding and creating new 
opportunities in the sciences and mathematics. This wonderful gift, from two very 
special members of the St. Lawrence family, will help us to sustain that momentum, 
and for that we are very grateful."
      Martha and Gregg Peterson stated, "We feel education is a key element in 
developing global citizens for our country and the world. St. Lawrence University 
is committed to the highest standards for a liberal arts education. The St. Lawrence 
educational process has all the right ingredients to grow students into well rounded 
global citizens. We cannot think of a better use of our good fortune than an 
investment in St. Lawrence University, its students and faculty."
	"The Petersons have shown, through this gift, their interest in and commitment 
to moving the University further towards our goal of enhancing undergraduate education 
in science and mathematics," stated Vice President for University Advancement Michael 
P. Archibald. "Martha Root Peterson, as a native of Colton, has through this gift 
displayed her special interest in giving something back to the North Country. The 
St. Lawrence community is very appreciative of this extraordinary gesture."

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