Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer named professor emeritus
Mississippi University for Women has awarded Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer the title of professor emeritus of mathematics. Oppenheimer boasts a career in education spanning nearly 40 years.
“Dr. Oppenheimer’s impact on not only the Department of Sciences and Mathematics, but The W as a whole, is undeniable,” said W President Nora Miller. “Her dedication to the department, the University and the Columbus community cannot be overstated. It is an honor to recognize her extraordinary career with this emeritus distinction.”
Oppenheimer came to The W as an assistant professor of mathematics in 1998, eventually becoming an associate professor in 2003 and a professor in 2006. She has served as the chair of the Department of Sciences and Mathematics since 2018. Her career in higher education also included stops at Mississippi State University, Delta State University, as well as Austin Community College, East Mississippi Community College, both at the GTR campus and the Columbus Air Force Base campus and Nova Southeastern University. She also taught at the middle and high school levels.
“It is a distinct honor to be named an emerita faculty member,” Oppenheimer said. “I hope the effort I put into making The W a great place to be will continue through my faculty colleagues. Go Owls!”
Throughout her career, Oppenheimer has received a litany of awards including the Kossen Faculty Excellence Award (2015-16), MCTM College/University Mathematics Teacher of the Year (2009-10), Lowndes County Educator of the Year – Postsecondary (2009-10) and MUW Faculty Member of the Year (2009-10).
Likewise, she boasts a number of professional publications including: “The Effect of Participants’ Race and Gender on Perceptions of STEM and Non-STEM Images of Women” and “STEM Research: What the Pictures Tell Us,” both in “The International Journal of Science in Society;” and “Images of women in STEM fields” in “Journal of Science Communication.”
In addition to her publications, Oppenheimer has delivered presentations at academic conferences and universities across the state.
She was respected by fellow members of the Department of Sciences and Mathematics, including Dr. Ross Whitwam, associate chair of the department.
“Dr. Oppenheimer spent the majority of her university teaching career at The W, and it would be fitting to recognize her decades of excellent teaching and service with emeritus faculty status.,” said Whitwam in his nomination letter.
Oppenheimer earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, Master of Arts in Mathematics from Mississippi State University and Master of Arts in Teaching from The University of Chicago. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Baldwin-Wallace University as well.