Xavier University of Louisiana is making history by hosting its first-ever mathematics research conference during its centennial year. The Bayou Arithmetic Research Days (BARD 5) will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the university's growing prominence in STEM fields and solidifying Xavier's position as a STEM leader. 

Attracting national and international participants, BARD has quickly become a pivotal gathering for mathematical research in the Gulf region. This year's conference is particularly special, as it not only cements the university's role as a key player in fostering collaboration among mathematicians, scholars, and researchers.

The conference will feature two keynote speakers: Professor Michael A. Bennett from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada and Professor Ling Long from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Both speakers are highly decorated and distinguished mathematicians in number theory. Their presence at the conference speaks to Xavier's growing prominence in STEM fields and its ability to attract top-tier talent while highlighting the institution's dedication to scholarly advancement. Xavier's Dean of Arts and Sciences will sum up the excitement for the BARD 5 Conference in the Norman C. Francis building (Room 568), welcoming all attendees and ensuring the event starts on the right angle.  

"As Xavier celebrates 100 years of excellence, hosting BARD 5 is a testament to our expanding research initiatives and our growing reputation in STEM," said Anderson Sunda-Meya Ph.D., Dean of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana. "This conference showcases our commitment to cutting-edge research and strengthens our position as a leader in mathematics, particularly among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)."

Pranabesh (Pranav) Das, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Xavier University of Louisiana says hosting the BARD 5 Conference is a calculated move in the right direction for Xavier's STEM curriculum.

"BARD 5 is more than just a conference. It is a landmark event in Xavier's history, bringing well-deserved recognition to its mathematics department. It builds on Xavier's expanding research initiatives, particularly the Math at Xavier (M@X) seminar series, which has hosted over 30 talks by national and international speakers since Fall 2022. This has positioned our department among the most active in Louisiana––trailing only LSU and Tulane in seminar activity."

Further solidifying its role as a research powerhouse, Xavier was recently designated as a Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) institution by the Carnegie Classification. This recognition spotlights Xavier’s continued and growing investment in research excellence and further elevates the university’s national profile in STEM. For more information about the conference click here Bayou Arithmetic Research Days (BARD) 5.