Scotch College

Honorary Doctorate of Laws conferred on Dr Evans

On 19 October, the conferring of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Monash University on Dr Michael Evans, Head of the Mathematics Department at Scotch College, pictured far right, recognized a lifetime's dedication and contribution to mathematical education.

This is a rare and special honour and one that all those who know Dr Evans and his work acknowledge is truly just and well-deserved. This event also recognizes the importance of secondary education to the future well-being of our universities and their future graduates.

A most succinct summary of Dr Evan's career was provided in the citation provided at the conferring of his Honorary Doctorate:

Dr Michael Evans graduated from Monash with the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science (Pure Mathematics) in 1969, and with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Pure Mathematics in 1973. He also received the Diploma of Education from La Trobe University in 1973.

Having taught at Monash from 1970 to 1972, he went on to teach at the then Moreland High School from 1974 to 1976. In 1977 he undertook further research at the University of Leeds, which was at the time the centre of Ring Theory research in the United Kingdom.

In 1979 Dr Evans accepted an appointment at St Michael's Grammar School, becoming the Head of the Department of Mathematics in the following year. In 1988 he was appointed as Head of the Department of Mathematics at Scotch College, which position he presently holds.

He is a leading educator, and he is a highly competent research mathematician who has maintained original research within a fundamental area of Mathematics, namely Algebra and Discrete Mathematics.

Dr Evans has long been involved with the development of the mathematics curriculum in Victoria, and he is now Convener for Victorian Certificate of Education Mathematics. He has led in the introduction of rigorous forms of assessment in school mathematics, and in furthering the best use of technology in the teaching and learning of mathematics in all senior secondary courses. Moreover, during the past two years he has been a prime mover in the creation of new mathematics courses that are to be implemented next year.

He is widely published - his contributions to the mathematics enrichment programs conducted under the auspices of the Australian Mathematics Trust are particularly notable.

As a member of the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee, Dr Evans has been the Deputy Leader of the team at the International Mathematical Olympiads for the years 1994 to 1996, and he has for many years been active in training the Australian teams.

Dr Evans delivered the Occasional Address at the Graduation Ceremony and spoke of the major events in his career as a mathematics educator. His final comments were that of all his experiences, his classroom and the students in it remain the most enjoyable and rewarding experience of his life's work. He drew attention to the importance of students being stimulated and encouraged in order to realise their intellectual potential.

Currently Michael is enjoying a well-deserved six months of long service leave, away from cricket matches and his role as teacher-in-charge of hockey. He has been travelling with his wife Cheryl through Turkey, Italy, Greece and the Greek Islands during Term 3 before returning to Melbourne to continue with his mathematical activities.

The Scotch Family extends its congratulations to Michael on his multitude of achievements and the conferring of his Honorary Doctorate. We are thrilled to have such an outstanding mathematician and educator leading our mathematics students to magnificent results over the past eleven years, and no doubt, well into the next century.