About
History
The Center for Applied Mathematics of the University of Notre Dame was established in 1987 in response to the growing need for applied mathematics as an investigative tool in science, engineering, and economics.
Hafiz Atassi from Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Andrew Sommese from Mathematics were appointed co-directors of the new Center by the then Provost Timothy O'Meara, for the period November 1987-June 1990. Hafiz Atassi continued serving as the Center's director until 1997 with Wilhelm Stoll of the Mathematics Department serving as co-director for the period 1990-92.
From 1987 to 1995, the Center was housed in the Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering. In 1995 it moved to the Computing Center and Mathematics Building and the Center became part of the College of Science. In 1997, a steering committee was created to redefine the administrative structure for the Center and its goals. Steve Buechler, Associate Dean of the College of Science, chaired the steering committee in 1997-98 and was appointed Acting Director for the Center for 1998-99. Panos Antsaklis from Electrical Engineering was appointed the Center Director in 1999 for a 3 year term and was reappointed in 2002. The Center was housed in the Cushing Hall of Engineering from 1999 through 2001 and moved to its current home in 260-262 Hurley Building in May 2001. The current Director, appointed in 2005, is Andrew Sommese.
