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Department of Mathematics

The Annual Harriett J. Walton
Symposium on
Undergraduate Mathematics Research

Professor Harriett J. Walton

In September 1958, Harriett J. Walton joined the faculty of Morehouse College during the presidency of Benjamin Elijah Mays. She became a member of a team of three persons in the Department of Mathematics where she worked with the legendary Claude B. Dansby who served as Department Chair. Dr. Walton and her two colleagues taught all of the mathematics for the majors as well as the mathematics for non-science students. Dr. Walton relates that two of her favorite courses that she taught during this period were Abstract Algebra and Number Theory. The three member mathematics department did an excellent job of preparing their mathematics majors for graduate school and the other students for success in their respective disciplines. In fact it was during this period of history that Morehouse gained the reputation of being an outstanding Institution especially for African American men. As the department grew, Dr. Walton shifted her attention away from mathematics majors and began to concentrate on students who needed special attention and care in order to succeed in mathematics. She became an advisor, mentor, tutor and nurturer to a large number of students matriculating at Morehouse College. Because of the caring attitude that she had for her students, some of them to this day refer to her as “ Mother Walton”.

Dr. Walton has never been satisfied with mediocrity. Throughout her teaching career she demonstrated a love for learning. In 1958 when she arrived at Morehouse College she had an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, a Master of Science degree in mathematics from Howard University, Washington D.C., and a second Master's degree in mathematics from Syracuse University. While at Morehouse teaching full time and raising a family of four children, Dr. Walton earned the Ph.D. degree in Mathematics Education from Georgia State University. After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Walton realized the emerging importance of the computer in education so she returned to school and in 1989 earned a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Atlanta University. She is indeed a remarkable person.

Dr. Walton’s list of professional activities, awards and accomplishments during her career is very impressive and too lengthy to be enumerated here. However a few special ones are her memberships in Alpha Kappa Mu, Beta Kappa Chi, Pi Mu Epsilon, and the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Additionally she was selected as a Fulbright Fellow to visit Ghana and Cameroon in West Africa. Dr. Walton’s professional memberships included the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM). She served as Secretary/Treasurer of NAM for ten years. In May 2000, Dr. Walton retired from Morehouse College after forty-two (42) years of service.