Mathematics Professor Reiter Receives Excellence Award
Harold Reiter, a professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, on Oct. 11, 2012 was presented with the Award for Excellence in Public Service from the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system.
The university system established the award in 2007 to encourage, identify, recognize and reward distinguished public service and outreach by faculty across the UNC system. The 2012 award carries a $7,500 cash prize. UNC President Thomas Ross and Public Service Award Committee member Ed McMahan of Charlotte presented the award.
“Dr. Reiter has transformed the lives of hundreds of pre-college students,” said Nancy A. Gutierrez, dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. “He helps students excel in math and critical thinking, and he gives them self-confidence and pride in their abilities, which is the foundation for future success. These students are better prepared for all kinds of life challenges, including the challenges they meet in their math classes.”
Reiter joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1972. During the past 40 years, he has worked to enhance and advance the field of mathematics education. He has been deeply involved as a community volunteer in providing math enrichment opportunities for children of all ages.
As a tutor and mentor to dozens of youngsters who were exceptionally gifted in mathematics, Reiter opened the door for them to be able to enroll in college-level courses at UNC Charlotte. Many have gone on to receive doctorates in mathematics and are on university faculties. He is described as a master at providing students with challenging problems that make them think, that motivate them to sharpen their math and problem-solving skills and that build their confidence in their own abilities and potential.
Reiter has helped create math clubs and math competitions for every age group. He has been deeply involved at the local, state and national levels in the MATHCOUNTS program sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. MATHCOUNTS encourages middle-school students to think critically, develop problem-solving skills and pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. For the past decade, he also has served as state director for American Mathematical Competitions—the nation’s oldest and most prestigious math competition program for middle and high school students.
In Mecklenburg County, Reiter founded the Charlotte Math Club to provide math competition experiences for students in grades 7-10. Using that same model, he later organized the Mecklenburg Mathematics Club for students in grades 4-6. He also founded the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival, which brings middle-school girls from across the state to UNC Charlotte for a day of working math puzzles and programs in a fun atmosphere.
Reiter has conducted workshops for mathematics competition coaches and K-12 mathematics teachers and attracted grant support to establish the Charlotte Teachers’ Circle. This group meets on a monthly basis and provides opportunities for teachers to work and learn together in a collaborative setting. He conceived and created the Carolina Panthers Number Crunch math competition. Sponsored by the Carolina Panthers, the competition uses football variables to challenge students in physics, geometry, and other problem-solving disciplines. It is the only program of its kind in the National Football League.
Reiter earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Clemson University and his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University.
(A version of this article also appears on the Inside UNC Charlotte website.)