Vivian Kuperberg recognized by the Cornell University Merrill Scholar Program and the College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate senior, Vivian Kuperberg, has been recognized as a Merrill scholar by Cornell University. Approximately one percent of each year’s undergraduate senior class are selected by their college deans for their intellectual drive, leadership abilities, and potential to contribute to society. The seniors, in turn, each nominate a high school teacher and a Cornell faculty member who have been most influential in their development as students and scholars. Vivian nominated Professor Tim Riley as the person most influential in her development.

You can also find Vivian featured on the College of Arts and Sciences for her "extraordinary journey."

Having participated in at least four distinct research projects during her tenure at Cornell, Vivian stands out as one of our most accomplished undergraduates. She was accepted to the highly competitive Duluth REU during the summer of 2014, which resulted in a solo paper. She also worked with Cornell Professor Farbod Shokrieh in our Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR). She then continued this research during the following academic year. She also worked with Professor Bob Connelly on packing problems on the plane. Currently, she is working with Tim Riley on a project involving sofic groups.

For her extra-curricular participation, Vivian started out in the Math Support Center as one of the youngest tutors we have ever had. After one semester, she became a Head Tutor. Not only did she become the president of the math club, she invigorated it. A few years back Vivian designed a Cornell Math t-shirt, printed it, and sold it at cost to students. She has been kind enough to allow the Department to use her design and make more t-shirts that we gave away at our homecoming booth. The mathematics department will miss Vivian's presence, outside of her sharp intellect, she is known for her strong character, kind disposition, and willingness to help all of those around her.

At commencement, it was announced that Vivian graduated summa cum laude (highest honors) and was a co-recipient of the department's Harry S. Kieval Prize.

In addition to these achievements, Vivian also won a highly prestigious NSF Graduate Fellowship this year. She will continue her studies in mathematics at Stanford University this fall, pursuing her PhD.