Purdue Mathematics shines in the 85th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
05-06-2025
Purdue University’s mathematics team has achieved a historic milestone in the 85th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition (the Putnam), ranking 11th out of 477 team and achieving the highest placement in Purdue’s history.
Significant competition
The Putnam, widely regarded as the most prestigious mathematics contest for undergraduate students in the United States and Canada, has been challenging young mathematicians since 1938. Organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) with support from the William Lowell Putnam Prize Fund, the competition draws thousands of the brightest minds each year. In December 2024, approximately 4,000 participants from hundreds of institutions competed in this rigorous six-hour examination, demonstrating problem-solving prowess in advanced mathematical concepts.
Purdue’s mathematics team, advised by Victor Lie, associate professor of mathematics, delivered an exceptional performance that placed the university among the top 15 teams in North America. This remarkable achievement underscores the department’s commitment to mathematical excellence and student success.
Historic success for Purdue Mathematics
The top four individual scores that contributed to Purdue’s ranking were:
- Chu Wilbert– 49 points
- Pauskar Tanishq– 46 points
- Lorenzo Sarria Maldonado– 40 points (tied)
- Nicholas Song– 40 points (tied)
Chu Wilbert’s outstanding performance secured him a spot among the top 50 individuals in the competition—an extraordinary feat considering the scale of participation. Additionally, Pauskar Tanishq, Lorenzo Sarria Maldonado, and Nicholas Song ranked among the top 200 competitors.
The following students’ scores were notable mentions as they were above 20 points.
- William Lin– 32 points
- William Huo– 28 points
- Harry Zheng– 26 points
- Thomas Belcher– 20 points
- Lingjie Fang– 20 points
Reflecting on the students’ success, Lie emphasized, “Scoring in the Putnam exam above 10 points is already a remarkable accomplishment. The median score this year was just two, with an average of eight, which highlights how truly impressive our students' results are.”
A Legacy of excellence
Last year, Purdue’s mathematics team had a total score of 89 points and ranked 50th out of more than 500 colleges from the U.S. and Canada. This year’s result continues a consistent upward trend—in the past seven years, besides the current result, Purdue has ranked twice in the top 70, twice in the top 60, and twice in the top 50.
"This year’s results are truly remarkable and hopefully inspiring for our future students,” said Lie. “To place 11th in the most prestigious undergraduate mathematics competition is an indication of the hard work, dedication and passion of our students."
Looking ahead
The Department of Mathematics remains dedicated to fostering mathematical talent and encouraging students to engage in high-level problem-solving competitions. Lie is the instructor for MA 48100 Advanced Problem-Solving Seminar. With continued guidance and academic opportunities, Purdue aims to build on this momentum and further solidify its place among the top mathematics programs in North America.
About the Mathematics Department at Purdue University
The Department of Mathematics is one of seven departments making up Purdue's College of Science. The Department has an international reputation as an outstanding center for mathematical research and education. Over 70 professors are actively involved in research in many areas of mathematics, including visiting scholars and through a vibrant graduate program. The Department offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Learn more at math.purdue.edu.