Dear Hollins alumnae,
I am deeply saddened to inform you that Professor of Mathematics Caren Diefenderfer has died.
Caren came to Hollins in 1977, and over the years she has had a profound impact as an outstanding teacher and, most importantly, as an individual. Most deservedly, she has received the Hollins University Distinguished Service Award, the Herta T. Freitag Faculty Award, and the Roberta A. Stewart Service Award.
In January, the Mathematical Association of America presented Caren with the 2017 Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award, honoring her not only for inspiring students in the classroom and beyond, but also for developing and teaching interdisciplinary courses that help students develop communication skills. In the wider mathematical community, she was a pioneer in Quantitative Literacy, a field of education whose goal is improving college students’ reasoning proficiency when using quantitative content.
Caren’s passionate devotion to teaching and to Hollins was once again on display this year as she and Professor Joe Leedom worked with the new honors students in Honors 101 and 102.
A memorial service on campus is being planned and details will be forthcoming.
Please keep Caren and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Nancy Gray
President
Hollins University
