University of Maryland Mathematics Professor Lawrence Washington Receives Kirwan Undergraduate Education Award
Washington was recognized for his transformative impact on student success and program innovation during his nearly 50 years at UMD.
Professor Lawrence Washington, a 48-year veteran of the University of Maryland’s Department of Mathematics, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2025-26 Kirwan Undergraduate Education Award at the Faculty & Staff Convocation on September 17, 2025, in the Memorial Chapel.
The Kirwan Undergraduate Education Award, established to honor outstanding faculty who demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching and educational leadership, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to student learning and academic program development. Named after former UMD President and Mathematics Professor Emeritus William “Brit” Kirwan, the award celebrates educators who embody a commitment to undergraduate student success and innovation in teaching practices.
"This award honors Professor Washington's lifelong contributions to the educational mission of our institution. It would not be superlative to state that he has dedicated his life to education," said Doron Levy, chair of UMD's Department of Mathematics. "His impact on the department, on our university and on the community is unparalleled. We are proud that one of our best has been recognized with the Kirwan Undergraduate Award."
For Washington, the award holds special significance as it’s named after Kirwan—the very person who hired him as a UMD faculty member in 1978.
“It’s very special to me in that way, because I’ve known Kirwan for quite some time now,” Washington said. “It almost feels like things have come full circle.”
Washington’s journey at UMD began in 1977. He came to the university as a visiting professor specializing in number theory after completing his Ph.D. at Princeton University and serving as an assistant professor at Stanford University. But what started as a temporary position at UMD evolved into a lifelong commitment to mathematics education and student development.
From his earliest days at Maryland, Washington has been deeply involved in outreach and mentoring. He began as an advisor to the Math Club and made weekly mentoring visits to Montgomery Blair High School’s math team, but soon branched out to create numerous programs that have transformed UMD’s mathematics programs. As the associate chair for undergraduate studies since 2021, Washington spearheaded numerous student-focused initiatives that have shaped math education, from recruitment efforts to curricula development to undergraduate research experiences. He also served as associate chair for graduate studies from 2011 to 2016 and was named a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher in 2011.
Over his nearly 50-year career, Washington’s proudest achievements include the university’s high school math competition, the math department’s credit-by-exam program (which now serves over 500 students annually) and multiple summer programs like the Brin Maryland Mathematics Camp for talented high school students—all programs Washington helped to design.
“I like to think I helped recruit a lot of very excellent students to come here to UMD,” Washington noted. “Maintaining these relationships with local schools cemented UMD as a potential destination for talented scholars and an important part of the community. It’s also been helpful in cultivating a culture of excellence here in our department.”
Washington’s work on designing and improving course curricula also shaped the undergraduate learning experience at UMD. He has been deeply involved in creating specialized courses for students with advanced mathematical backgrounds, including MATH 340-341 (an accelerated sequence that combines multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations) and MATH 456 (a cryptography course). In response to federal and state funding shortfalls, Washington also helped develop a summer program to help undergraduates gain mathematics research experience to prepare them for graduate school or their chosen careers.
What further sets Washington apart is his genuine commitment to listening to students and adapting his work to meet their needs. His efforts to understand students and bridge the gap between them and faculty led to practical improvements across the undergraduate math curriculum, including improvements in grading practices and better balances between routine practice questions and expanded learning opportunities.
“Part of my job is to really talk to students,” Washington said. “My door is open at all times. I talk to as many undergrads as I can and I’ve learned a lot.”
After 48 years, Washington still embraces new challenges.
“There are so many fields that are emerging and evolving, and math is something that everyone needs to take to proceed to these fields,” Washington said. “For example, we’re currently integrating data science and other quickly growing disciplines into the mathematics curriculum, ensuring that course requirements across the university truly serve students’ needs. To prepare students for success in their chosen paths, we have to work together with other departments across campus.”
With a new semester on the horizon, Washington’s strong commitment to students continues.
“UMD has been my home for 48 years,” Washington said. “When I retire, I’ll just be in the emeritus office instead, and I’ll still be advising and supporting where I can.”
