Fond Farewell: Former Math Professor Ben Nolting

It is with sadness we share the news that former professor Ben Nolting, who taught in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for two years, passed away August 2. He was 38.

Born February 19, 1982, in Sitka, Alaska, he grew up in Palmer and the Matanuska Valley, where the local Tlingit tribe adopted him as a member of the Kiksadi clan. He spent a lot of time outdoors climbing mountains and exploring the alpine tundra, developing an intense curiosity and deep appreciation for wildlife and the natural world that ultimately led to his career in mathematical biology.

He earned a BS in mathematics from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and went on to graduate studies in theoretical ecology and applied mathematics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). While at UNL, he won the best research paper award by a graduate student at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, and his PhD dissertation on random foraging earned him a post-doctoral research experience at Case Western Reserve University.

He was hired as a professor at Chico State in 2016, and made a significant impression in just the two short years he would be here. Former colleagues describe him as a “remarkable human being” who was also an incredibly talented scientist, mathematician, and theoretical ecologist. He was a patient teacher and mentor, who created a safe and open environment for learning and exchanging ideas.

Department Chair LaDawn Haws, who was on the committee that hired him, said he stood out from the crowd.

“It was his eyes. His eyes were so intense and full of excitement! We were thrilled to have him join our department,” she said. “I watched him teach while he was here, and he was a model teacher—clear explanations, gentle, thoughtful, and patient with his students. And he was passionate about his research. Every interaction I had with him was so enjoyable and stimulating, and made me realize he was a high-quality human being.”

Professor Emeritus Rick Ford distinctly remembers the passion with which Nolting embraced his discipline and said he was continually impressed by his teaching and communication skills.

“Ben was an enthusiastic student of mathematics teaching and learning. This is somewhat rare in folks like Ben who have climbed to the cutting edge of their applied mathematics discipline,” he said. “He was a wonderful, kind, enthusiastic, and skilled mathematics professor.”

Nolting left to teach at Nevada State College in 2018 and continued his research, collaborating with academics all over the world, including Iran, Japan, China, and South Africa. He also loved rap music, political podcasts, all things history, and sports, and cared deeply about social and environmental justice.

He is survived by his parents, Annie and Joe Nolting; grandfather, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A fund has been established in his name at UNL that will help students of color, international students, and other underrepresented students and aspiring teachers pursue their studies in mathematics.

The University flag will be lowered Thursday, August 27, in his memory. We will share service details when we learn of them.