Dr. Clarence Stephens, Sr. was the ninth African American to have earned a Ph.D. in mathematics. He was chair of the SUNY Potsdam Mathematics department from 1969-1987. His legacy is known as the Morgan-Potsdam model of Mathematical-Education.
Biography
Dr. Clarence F. Stephens, Sr. was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, on July 24, 1917. Clarence discovered at an early age that he could read mathematics independently and greatly appreciated the intrinsic beauty of mathematics. He earned a BS in mathematics from Johnson Smith University, NC (1938) and went on to graduate studies at the University of Michigan, earning an MS (1939) and then a PhD (1943). He was a teaching specialist in the US Navy (1942-1946) and a college professor at Prairie View A&M (1946-1947), Morgan State College (1947-1962), SUNY Geneseo (1962-1969), and SUNY Potsdam (1969-1987).
During his early years of teaching, he recognized the need to inspire confidence in his students. As he said in 1997, “More than fifty years ago I came to the conclusion that every college student who desired to learn mathematics could do so. I spent my entire professional life believing that this was the case.” He was asked to join the SUNY Potsdam math department as chair particularly because of his attention to fostering student success. At Potsdam, Dr. Stephens built a successful mathematics major and created the unique BA/MA in mathematics program. His work with faculty and students helped SUNY Potsdam become nationally recognized as one of the most successful undergraduate math programs in the country.
Dr. Stephens received many honors during his career. In 1982 he was inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. In 2003 in recognition of his impact on the American education of mathematics students, the Mathematical Association of America presented him with their most prestigious award, the Gung and Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics (2003).
Dr. Stephens retired in 1987 and resided in Conesus, NY until his passing at 100 years old on March 5, 2018.
