Arnold Ephraim Ross | |
|---|---|
 Ross in 1970 | |
| Born | Arnold Ephraim Chaimovich August 24, 1906 |
| Died | September 25, 2002 (aged 96) |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Known for | Mathematics education (Ross Mathematics Program) |
| Spouse(s) | Bertha (Bee) Halley Horecker Madeleine Green |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Number theory |
| Institutions | California Institute of Technology, St. Louis University, University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University |
| Thesis | "On Representation of Integers by Indefinite Ternary Quadratic Forms of Quadratfrei Determinant" (1931) |
| Doctoral advisor | L. E. Dickson |
| Other academic advisors | Samuil Shatunovsky, E. H. Moore |
| Doctoral students | Margaret Willerding |
Arnold Ephraim Ross (August 24, 1906 – September 25, 2002) was a mathematician and educator who founded the Ross Mathematics Program, a number theory summer program for gifted high school students. He was born in Chicago, but spent his youth in Odesa, Ukraine, where he studied with Samuil Shatunovsky. Ross returned to Chicago and enrolled in University of Chicago graduate coursework under E. H. Moore, despite his lack of formal academic training. He received his Ph.D. and married his wife, Bee, in 1931.
Ross taught at several institutions including St. Louis University before becoming chair of University of Notre Dame's mathematics department in 1946. He started a teacher training program in mathematics that evolved into the Ross Mathematics Program in 1957 with the addition of high school students. The program moved with him to Ohio State University when he became their department chair in 1963. Though forced to retire in 1976, Ross ran the summer program until 2000. He had worked with over 2,000 students during more than forty summers.
The program is known as Ross's most significant work. Its attendees have since continued on to prominent research positions across the sciences. His program inspired several offshoots and was recognized by mathematicians as highly influential. Ross has received an honorary doctorate and several professional association awards for his instruction and service.