Classroom Naming Ceremony Honors the Late Dr. Patricia R. Wilkinson, Professor and Mathematics Chair

Patricia Wilkinson Room, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
L-R: Brenda Wilkinson, Pierce Wilkinson II, Pierce Wilkinson, Karen Wilson-Stevenson, Edmund Wilkinson, Kevin Wilkinson, Jena Wilkinson

October 29, 2024

A naming ceremony and ribbon cutting for classroom N-550 at the Chambers Street campus of Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) was held October 28 in honor of the late Dr. Patricia R. Wilkinson, a former BMCC Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics.

L-R: Pierce Wilkinson Sr., Edmund Wilkinson

In attendance were Mr. Pierce Wilkinson and the sons of Mr. Wilkinson and Dr. Wilkinson; Edmund Wilkinson, Pierce Wilkinson II and Kevin Wilkinson.

In addition to the naming of a classroom in honor of Dr. Wilkinson, the Wilkinson family established the Women in Mathematics Endowed Scholarship. The family also funded a $3,000 gift that was presented to a BMCC graduate at the 2023 Honors Convocation.

Dr. Wilkinson joined the Mathematics Department in 1966, serving as faculty member and then Mathematics Department Chair until her retirement in 2007.

With a Math Lab, innovative pedagogy and more, Dr. Wilkinson championed student success

L-R: Edmund Wilkinson, Pierce Wilkinson II, Pierce Wilkinson Sr., Kevin Wilkinson

During her tenure at the college, Dr. Wilkinson led the Mathematics Department in applying innovative pedagogy to improve student success in developmental mathematics courses. Along with BMCC Professor Larry Sher, Dr. Wilkinson secured numerous multi-million dollar grants to support student learning in mathematics and create a Mathematics Lab.

It was also under the leadership of Dr. Wilkinson as Chair of the Mathematics Department, that the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Mathematics was officially registered in 1994 at BMCC, enabling future generations to enter STEM majors and career pipelines.

Dr. Wilkinson’s commitment provided STEM access for underrepresented students

Opening remarks at the naming event were delivered by Dr. Karen Wilson-Stevenson, Vice President, Office for Institutional Advancement and Chief Operating Officer, BMCC Foundation. Dr. Fred Peskoff, who today serves as Chair of the BMCC Department of Mathematics, presented words of affirmation and appreciation at the Naming Ceremony.

“From the moment I met Pat [Dr. Wilkinson], at my BMCC job interview in Summer 1999, I was impressed by her passion for teaching mathematics and her genuine concern for supporting community college students who often struggle to succeed in mathematics courses,” said Dr. Peskoff.

Commemorative plaque above Classroom N-550 at BMCC’s Chamber Street campus.

“I was amazed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) grants she had obtained over many years.  Most of these grants were focused on supporting female students who had previously been ‘neglected’ by STEM fields, especially mathematics. They were given graphing calculators, assigned a faculty mentor with whom they could complete a research project, and received a stipend to help with their tuition.”

Other BMCC community members on the Naming Ceremony speaker program included Ms. Rosa M. Hughley, retired Office Manager, and Ms. Lisa St. Hill, Executive Administrative Coordinator, Academic Affairs.

The actual ribbon cutting was carried out by VP Wilson-Stevenson alongside members of the Wilkinson family, and refreshments followed.

Learn more about naming opportunities and other ways to give that benefit future generations of BMCC students.

Learn more about the BMCC Mathematics Department.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Naming ceremony and ribbon cutting for classroom N-550 at BMCC’s Chambers Street campus held October 28 to honor the late Dr. Patricia R. Wilkinson, former BMCC Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics

  • Wilkinson family also established the Women in Mathematics Scholarship

  • Professor Wilkinson won multiple National Science Foundation (NSF) grants supporting female students underrepresented in STEM fields, especially mathematics

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