Students in Eliza Gallagher’s Honors courses don’t just learn mathematics. They create puzzles, test ideas and conduct research that extends beyond the classroom. That student-centered approach to teaching and mentorship has earned Gallagher, associate professor of mathematical sciences, the 2026 Douglas W. Bradbury Award.
Presented each year by the Clemson University Honors College, the award recognizes a faculty member who has made sustained and meaningful contributions to the Honors College and its students.
Sarah Winslow, dean of the Clemson University Honors College, said Gallagher’s impact is reflected not only in her teaching and mentorship but also in the lasting connections she builds.
Eliza exemplifies the spirit of interdisciplinary learning and a deep commitment to enriching the student experience and lives of others through her work. She creates opportunities for students to move beyond absorbing knowledge to generating it themselves through public scholarship and collaborative research that resonates well beyond Clemson.
Sarah Winslow, Dean of the Clemson University Honors College
“Eliza exemplifies the spirit of enriching the student experience and the lives of others,” said Sarah Winslow, dean of the Clemson University Honors College. “She creates opportunities for students to move beyond absorbing knowledge to generating it themselves through public scholarship and collaborative research that resonates well beyond Clemson.”
Gallagher served four years on the Honors College committee, including three years as the elected representative for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences and one year as the Faculty Senate representative. That said, Gallagher is best known for her work with students, creating collaborative learning experiences that encourage students to engage deeply with mathematical thinking while contributing original work of their own.
Many of those experiences were developed alongside Neil Calkin, professor of mathematical sciences and a 2018 Bradbury Award recipient. The duo regularly collaborates on Honors courses and Creative Inquiry experiences focused on mathematical puzzles and problem-solving, bringing together students from diverse academic backgrounds to explore ideas together and build confidence in their abilities as researchers and creators.
Calkin said that Gallagher is one of the most impressive teachers he has seen.
“I have had an opportunity to see her in action, to observe her dedication and skills, the care that she takes in teaching and the way she treats students as individuals,” said Calkin. “I have seen many outstanding faculty be celebrated with this award. I can say with certainty that Eliza Gallagher belongs in that group.”
Gallagher has mentored more than 50 Honors students through coursework, research and Creative Inquiry projects, extending her impact throughout the Honors College community and beyond Clemson’s campus.
Students frequently describe Gallagher’s classroom environment as transformative. In nomination materials, Honors students and alumni highlighted her ability to foster community, encourage intellectual risk-taking and help students see themselves as capable contributors to knowledge and scholarship.
Christina Foley, an Honors student and computer science major who graduated in May, participated in Gallagher’s Math Puzzles Creative Inquiry. Transitioning from a large high school to a smaller Honors classroom environment made Foley hesitant to speak up at first, as she feared being wrong. Over time, however, she came to see mistakes as a natural part of learning.
“I became more comfortable sharing my work, giving and receiving feedback, and working with others to solve problems,” said Foley. “Over time, Dr. Gallagher’s mentorship shaped both my academic experience and how I approach challenges in the rest of my life.”
National Scholar and Clemson alumna Alyssa Williams both took a class with Gallagher and joined in her Creative Inquiry team before graduating in 2024. Now a software engineer at Microsoft, Williams said that Gallagher encouraged her and other students to engage with the material on a deeper level by attending conferences and building networks with other experts in the field.
Even though she now works in a different sector, Williams has kept in touch with Gallagher while also maintaining and, in some cases, building on the industry connections she established at Clemson.
“As an alum, I recently attended the inaugural international SudokuCon conference, where I got to meet the world’s top sudoku solvers and setters, many of whom I’ve admired for years,” said Williams, adding that Gallagher continues to stay connected with many former students long after graduation.
Other Honors students and alumni who supported Gallagher’s nomination also highlighted her ability to foster meaningful connections across disciplines and graduating classes.
For her part, Gallagher said receiving the Bradbury award was both humbling and exciting.
“I was honored to be nominated and truly floored to receive the award,” Gallagher said. “The Honors College is filled with faculty members doing phenomenal work for students, so this recognition is especially meaningful to me.”
