Renowned mathematician exponentially boosts student success

By Melanie Brender

As a mathematician, Ted Petrie is a natural problem solver.

He navigated financial hardship and the challenges that come with being a first-generation college student to earn a degree at Michigan State University.

As an Honors College Spartan, he went head-to-head against students from MIT, Harvard, and other premiere institutions in the national Putnam Mathematical Competition, placing fourth with his team.

He continued to solve problems in the early part of his career at the Institute for Defense Analysis, receiving invitations for year-long stays in Germany, Denmark, and Japan to share his mathematical expertise.

He was a problem solver as a Ph.D. student at Princeton, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a member of the mathematics faculty at Rutgers.

Now Ted Petrie, with his wife Jane, is solving problems for the next generation of Honors College students. The couple has generously donated $500,000 toward the first-ever cohort of Petrie Scholars.

Empowering students through philanthropy

Through the Ted Petrie Honors College Scholarship, the Petries are multiplying opportunities for Spartans like second-year Computational Data Science student Katelyn Buechler.

“Data science has always intrigued me ever since I’d discovered the concept of artificial intelligence,” Buechler said. “Watching AI evolve in real time, especially in these past few years has been exciting.” She noted her passion for the tool has existed for a long time.

“After discovering how AI can be used to help in the medical field, especially as a screening tool to treat and detect diseases, I knew immediately the positive change these machine learning tools could bring about in the world,” Buechler said.

She said that positive change is something she wants to be part of, but such a career trajectory often requires a graduate degree in Data Science.

“Pursuing higher education has always been a dream of mine, and through the opportunities presented by this scholarship that dream no longer feels so distant,” she said.

“I not only feel one step closer to continuing my academic aspirations, but also toward my career,” Buechler said. “Being one of the first MSU students to receive the Petrie Scholarship is something I will never forget — it is such an astounding honor and privilege.”

Buechler extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Petries “on behalf of all the students you have bestowed this scholarship onto — it will be life-changing to so many of us.”

Other scholarship recipients echoed similar sentiments.

“The potential for growth in a place like MSU seems endless, and to be graced with the Petrie Scholarship before venturing into the world of data analytics leaves so much more potential,” first-year student Ty Siemens said.

First-year student Julia Griese explained how the award makes her an even prouder member of the Honors College community.

“My acceptance into the Honors College was a big factor for me [choosing MSU] as it opened the door to research opportunities and a community of driven individuals,” Griese said. “The Petrie Scholarship is a continuation of these opportunities and a prime example of the long-lasting impact of the Michigan State Honors College.”

The first-ever cohort of Petrie Scholars

The Ted Petrie Honors College Scholarship has been offered to 17 students. So far these 15 have accepted the renewable award, which provides thousands of dollars of annual funding for up to four academic years at MSU:

• Carter Brown of Grand Haven, Michigan. Brown is a fifth-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Katelyn Buechler of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Buechler is a second-year student whose primary major is Computational Data Science through the College of Engineering.
• Julia Griese of Livonia, Michigan. Griese is a first-year student whose primary major is Statistics through the College of Natural Science.
• Andrew Hart of Ortonville, Michigan. Hart is a second-year student whose primary major is Actuarial Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Jessica Johns, a Michigan native. Johns is a first-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Hanna Kovacevic of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kovacevic is a first-year student whose primary major is Mathematics though the College of Natural Science.
• Jacob Kantzer of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Kantzer is a first-year student whose primary major is Mathematics – Secondary Education through the College of Natural Science.
• Carlos Matos of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Matos is a second-year student whose primary major is Advanced Mathematics through the College of Natural Science.
• James McAlvey of Lansing, Michigan. McAlvey is a first-year student whose primary major is Advanced Mathematics through the College of Natural Science.
• Claire Medema of Highland Charter Township, Michigan. Medema is a second-year student whose primary major is Actuarial Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Hoyoung Park of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Park is a second-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Seth Sain of Marquette, Michigan. Sain is a second-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Sophie Scherkenbach of Livonia, Michigan. Scherkenbach is a second-year student whose primary major is Statistics through the College of Natural Science.
• Ty Siemens of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Siemens is a first-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.
• Justin Wijaya of Cleveland, Ohio. Wijaya is a third-year student whose primary major is Data Science through the College of Natural Science.