Thomas P. Cavaiani Professor in Mathematics

Over a period of about 17 years Tom Cavaiani ’71 earned two bachelor degrees, a master’s degree, and a doctorate from Oregon State while serving on the Boise State University faculty and as a graduate teaching assistant at OSU. After completing his Ph.D. he accepted a position at Hewlett-Packard before returning to Boise State, where for the last 17 years of his career he taught mathematics, statistics, computer science, and information technology courses, also publishing numerous books and articles.

Now retired, he still vividly remembers a vector analysis course he took at OSU, and how the guidance of an excellent teacher brought his understanding to a new level. He credits the preparation he received at Oregon State for his successful career.

In gratitude, the loyal alumnus has made plans in his estate to establish the first endowed professorship in OSU’s mathematics department: a gift that will support innovative teaching and research in the College of Science for generations to come.