Cadets participate in a math modeling competition. -- VMI File Photo by Kelly Nye.

LEXINGTON, Va., April 30, 2016 – VMI’s Department of Applied Mathematics was named the No. 8 such department in the nation in a listing published on the USA Today website yesterday.

The VMI program, the only applied mathematics department in Virginia to make the list, is surpassed only by those at Brown University, Harvard University, Stony Brook University, Stanford University, Bryant University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Southern California. VMI’s department outranks those at Columbia University and Rice University, according to the publication.

“The applied mathematics program at VMI is highly flexible to encourage students to pursue minors or double majors in order to personalize their degree path,” the publication noted. “In addition, students have ample opportunities to participate in real-world research projects and study abroad programs. This makes VMI graduates highly attractive to prospective employers.”

Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent, noted the ranking is impressive, especially considering the reputations of the other schools on the list.

“This shows the quality of the Department of Applied Mathematics, but it also reflects the excellence of VMI’s overall academic program,” he said.

-VMI-