Dr. Cecil Rousseau - "C²R"

If you have spent any non-trivial amount of time in the Mathematical Sciences department, then you surely know or remember Professor Rousseau. Affectionately known among colleagues as "C-squared-R" (his initials, after all, are CCR), Cecil Rousseau joined the mathematical sciences department at (what was then) Memphis State University in the fall of 1970. Trained as a physicist and faculty member of the physics department at Baylor University 1968-70, Cecil immediately brought diversity to our mathematics department. All who have known or worked with Cecil realize that he possesses a broad knowledge of mathematics from number theory and combinatorics to analysis and statistics. Because of his demonstrated mastery of this broad knowledge, all faculty learn quite early that if you have a question and don't know the answer or where to look, you simply walk down the hall and ask Cecil. Likely he will know the answer, and if not, you can expect him to arrive at your office within a day or two with the answer.

Perhaps Cecil is best known for his problem solving skills. My earliest recollections of Cecil have him looking at the Problems Section in the journal for the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), and solving one or more problems from each issue. Early on Cecil became involved in the activities of the U.S.A. Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), organizations which conduct international mathematics problem-solving competitions. He was a committee member as early as 1973, served as a coach and team leader of the U.S. team several times, and has continued to contribute in various capacities since the early 1970's. He served as Chair of the Problems Committee and Chief Coordinator for IMO in 2001. In addition to his IMO activities, Cecil is the current Editor of Problems and Solutions of SIAM and Collaborating Editor (Problems and Solutions) of the American Mathematical Monthly, published by the American Mathematical Society.

His research record shows his mathematical diversity, with publications in combinatorics and graph theory, analysis, applied mathematics, mathematical physics, and mathematical statistics. The University has recognized his many contributions; the College of Arts and Sciences awarded him the Meritorious Faculty Award in 1992, and the University recognized him with a Dunavant Professorship in 1998.

Cecil played a most important role in the development of our department into a research oriented Ph.D. granting one. He worked extensively with the world famous mathematician Paul Erdös and is in the top 10 among Erdös co-authors in terms of number of papers published with Erdös. This is most significant since Erdös had 458 collaborators. Mathematicians feel honored to be on that collaborator list.

In addition to his research skills Cecil is an excellent lecturer giving deep insight to the mathematics he presents. His love of teaching and care for students leads him to regularly give one or more individual studies course each semester in addition to his regular teaching load. For a student who wishes to learn mathematics, a list of instructors of choice must include Cecil.

Cecil also provides much service to our university. He has served and chaired many committees in our department, and been elected or appointed to many college and university committees. His service record includes serving as Interim Chair of the Mathematical Sciences Department 1990-91, Director of Graduate Studies and Chair of the department Tenure and Promotions Committee.

Personally I feel very privileged to have known, worked, and done research with Cecil over the last 30 years. He is a quiet man who suddenly becomes vocal and excited when discussing mathematics. Cecil has many research strengths. Two that stand out in my mind while working with him are his natural ability for applying probabilistic methods to combinatorial problems and his ability to frequently take a proof and find a much better one. It is difficult to give appropriate assessment and credit to a mathematician you admire, have as a friend, and have worked with for so many years. Maybe it is best to simply say that all who have known and worked with Cecil understand and appreciate his diverse mathematical strengths.