Fund: Bryce Mason Award in Mathematics Fund Department: Mathematics Dept D01056 Purpose: Undergraduate Student Support Background: With deep appreciation for his outstanding educational experience at UCR, Dr. Bryce Mason has created an endowed award to support undergraduate students who have exhibited passion for and excellence in mathematics. Bryce found that the rigor required for the study of mathematics greatly improved his reasoning and critical thinking, which have been beneficial throughout his life and career. He also fondly recalls a warm, collegial learning environment made by faculty and fellow students. Bryce hopes that the recipients of this award will similarly enjoy and benefit from their mathematical journey. An alumnus of UCR (Class of 2001), Bryce earned a B.S. in Mathematics with highest honors and was recognized with the Best Graduating Mathematics Major Award for that class. After UCR, Bryce continued his education in a more applied field, earning a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from the RAND Graduate School in 2005. He has primarily worked in higher education in the field of Institutional Research, first as a Research Analyst at UCR, then as Director of Institutional Research at Loyola Marymount University, and subsequently again at UCR as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Research. Bryce has also served as the Vice President and President of California Association for Institutional Research, a statewide professional association. Purpose and Use of Fund: The fund shall be used to provide student support for undergraduate students majoring in Mathematics. Criteria and Selection Process: The Mathematics Department will administer the fund, the Financial Aid Office will disburse the award. The Chair of the Mathematics Department, or his/her designee, with input from the Mathematics faculty, shall annually select and announce the recipient in the spring term, for payout in the subsequent fall term. The award amount shall be based on the annual payout. Eligible students shall be: 1.) Mathematic majors; 2.) Continuing juniors at the time of the selection process (beginning their senior year at the time of award disbursement); 3.) Deemed by the faculty of the Department of Mathematics to have exhibited excellence in the study of mathematics and to have contributed to a positive learning environment. In years when there is no candidate who meets the criteria, awards will be held until the following year.