Excellence in Mathematics Recognized Through the Cowan Prize

The Joseph Cowan Award for the Putnam Math Competition honors University of Denver students who achieve distinction on the highly competitive William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Established through the generosity of the Cowan family, the award recognizes outstanding performance while encouraging mathematical excellence among DU students.

In 2025, Anna Johnston, Liam Grant, and Michaela Vail received the Cowan Prize following strong performances on the Putnam Exam, a notoriously challenging competition with twelve problems completed over two three-hour sessions. According to Ronnie Pavlov, Professor of Mathematics, simply earning points on the exam is a significant accomplishment. This year, six DU students participated, with three earning recognition and Anna placing among the top performers in Colorado for the second consecutive year.

Recipients shared that the Cowan Prize not only recognized their hard work but also strengthened their confidence as they explore careers in teaching, software engineering, and other mathematics-related fields. Their achievements reflect the talent, dedication, and curiosity that continue to define the DU mathematics community.

Learn More About Mathematics Scholarships & Awards