Weizhong Dai, Louisiana Tech University
Dr. Mickens is a famous mathematician and physicist who has made a great contribution to the mathematical modeling and computation. He is a founder of the well-known nonstandard finite difference method. It has been a great honor for me to collaborate with Ron on research and we together have published several papers. Thank you, Ron, for your help, and congratulations on your birthday!
Jean Lubuma, University of the Witwatersrand
Ron is a great mentor who has immensely inspirerd me and made a difference in my academic life through his NSFD approach. Despite his outstanding and exceptional achievements, which make the top scholar in our field, Ron is humble. That why he is a friend to me and to many of us. Happy birthday Ron.
Matthias Ehrhardt, University of Wuppertal
Ron Mickens welcomed me in Atlanta in 1999, when i was a PhD student and gave me a tour at Clark Atlanta University. Afterwards we published a couple of joint papers on NSFD schemes. I always appreciated how he supported me in my early career.
Maxine Harlemon, Clark Atlanta University
He was a mentor while I was working towards my PhD in Biological Sciences. He provided me with mentally stimulating talks that helped me in focusing my research project.
Issifu Harruna, Clark Atlanta University
Faculty Colleague at AU and CAU
Sandra Rucker, Clark Atlanta University
Dr. Mickens has served as an exemplary mentor and research collaborator to me and a vast number of other applied mathematicians and scientists. His contributions to mathematics, physics, and the history of science are invaluable, particularly as it relates to highlighting the contributions of African Americans and people of color.
Charmayne Patterson, Clark Atlanta University
Dr. Ronald Mickens and I have worked together for several years, collaborating on various articles and presentations often related to the history of African Americans in the natural sciences. I consider him to be a mentor, a trusted colleague, and a dear friend. Dr. Mickens is an erudite scholar who spends his days reading, writing, and socializing :-) Even in “retirement” his productivity is unrivaled and he remains an inspiration to us all.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Mickens! May you continue to share your brilliance with the world!!
Isom Herron, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
I have known Dr. Mickens since the 1970’s, and I have been pleased to be his collaborator since I have retired and moved to Atlanta.
Shirley Kirksey, Ph.D., SWK Communications
For more than 20 years, Professor Ronald Mickens and I have been colleagues at Clark Atlanta University. During my tenure as the School of Arts and Sciences dean, I recognized, as did our colleagues, that Professor Mickens was the ‘voice of reason’, as he offered perspectives to faculty sitting on university committees and at school and university-wide meetings. His ideas translated into academic colloquia in which we shared an interest, especially topics and conversations about illustrative figures in the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
The breadth and depth of Ron’s knowledge of and additional involvement with the social sciences has made him a chosen colleague in which to engage in repartee. Unbeknownst to us, a bridge was being erected, and my/our research interests in specific alumni from Fisk University, Ohio University and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, my hometown, would culminate in book projects about Blacks in secondary and higher education.
I am glad and proud that we crossed paths during our academic journeys. But, our journeys continue, and the stimulating repartee in which we engage, especially on research topics that we mutually share - from social science and philosophical perspectives - is gratifying. The erudite professors’ scholarship continues to contribute to his legacy as a physicist and mathematician, a resolute professional who loves knowledge, and the process and pleasure of discovery.
Lastly, the welcome exchange of information about our history has been duly accepted and appreciated. On this occasion, your 80th year, I celebrate you and your academic achievements and accomplishments, and appreciate the contributions you made to my administrative and academic experiences at Clark Atlanta University. Thank you.
Dorcas D. Bowles, Former Provost, Clark Atlanta University
Dr. Mickens is an outstanding professor and friend whose contributions to CAU were immeasurable.
Ebony Harvey, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
I don't remember when I first met Dr. Mickens, but I was last able to see him at the Blackwell-Tapia Conference in Providence RI, 2018 and enjoyed breaking bread with him and hearing his jokes.
Albert Thompson, Spelman College/Retired
Former Faculty Colleague/Fisk University
Sandra Taylor, Clark Atlanta
A long-standing colleague since 1983 who has brought loads of laughs to mediate the work involved in committee and task-force meetings, as well as other activities that were significantly enhanced by his participation. Not only a physicist, but an armchair social commentator! Happy happy birthday!
Alfred MSEZANE, Clark Atlanta University
Congratulations to Dr. Mickens, one of the original pillars of the Atlanta (now Clark Atlanta) University's Department of Physics, for longevity. I found him there in 1983.
Alfred Msezane, FRSC.
Gregory Chambers, Fiserv
I graduated from CAU with a Masters in Applied Mathematics in 1994. During my time there, Dr. Mickens was responsible for providing the grant that allowed me to perform mathematical research under Dr. J. Ernest Wilkins, Jr.
Shari Watkins, American University, CTRL
Ron Mickens’ impact has been both personal and professional. I am a proud CAU alumna, (NASA HIPPAC BS/MS Program-Chemistry major). Ron was my husband’s (Dr. Lanier Watkins, Physics major, PRISM-D Program) professor. In my profession as a science education researcher, Ron Mickens has been a wonderful scholar-mentor. I look forward to and am grateful for the many scholarly conversations we have had over the years. I always feel motivated and renewed after our conversations! He has been a supporter, a thought partner, but also someone that I consider as a friend. It is with great joy that I wish my dear friend, colleague, and mentor, Dr. Ron Mickens a happy, happy birthday.
Avis Williams, Putnam County Charter School System
Thanks for your dedication to students!
Susan Kelly, University of Wisconsin- La Crosse
I met Ron at the Joint Math Meetings in San Diego in 2018. For me, that meeting with Ron was the best event I have ever had at a math conference, because it started a friendship that I cherish. That was the only time that we have seen each other in-person. We had planned a visit where Ron would speak at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where I work, in March 2020, but that event was cancelled because of the pandemic. Still, we have continued to correspond with phone calls.
When I talk with Ron, we have wonderful engaging conversations. I love that since our first meeting, our conversations have been so open and warm. Each time I talk with Ron, I learn something new - and always laugh at the humor he sprinkled into our talks.
Ron, I hope you have a fantastic birthday celebration, I’m sorry I can’t be there in person but do look forward to many phone calls in the future. I am so very thankful to have you as my friend.
Warmly,
Susan Kelly
Pedro Jordan
Since we were first introduced in 2000, Ron has been a great mentor, a valued friend, and a respected colleague.
Robert E Bozeman, Morehouse College
Congratulations to Dr. Ron Mickens on his 80th birthday!
We first met Ron as we were preparing to enter graduate school at Vanderbilt University and he was completing his doctoral studies there. He was able to facilitate our rental of the apartment that he was vacating -- a tremendous help to us. We had no idea that years later the three of us would be colleagues at three Atlanta University Center institutions--Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta University.
Ron has made outstanding contributions in both mathematics and physics. In addition, he has facilitated the research of both students and faculty in both disciplines. He is truly a stellar scientist and a cherished colleague.
Robert Bozeman, Morehouse College and Sylvia Bozeman, Spelman College
Leon Woodson
I can't post my memories of Dr. Mickens