A Virginia Tech mathematics student has demonstrated exceptional achievement in one of the most prestigious and challenging undergraduate mathematical competitions. Grant Mullins, a senior majoring in both Mathematics and Computer Science Engineering, earned a place among the top 500 competitors nationwide in the 86th annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Even more impressive, Grant has achieved this distinction three years in a row.

It's something I'm really proud of, Mullins said. Honestly, it's not something I ever imagined doing three years ago. Seeing how far I've come has been extremely fulfilling.

The Putnam Competition, administered by the Mathematical Association of America to students across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is held annually on the first Saturday in December. Students are challenged with a six‑hour exam featuring 12 proof‑based problems designed to test creativity and mathematical insight. In the 2025 competition, more than 4,300 students from nearly 500 universities participated. The median score was just 2 out of 120, highlighting how competitive and rigorous the contest is. Achieving a top‑500 ranking is a testament to both scholarly determination and a genuine passion for mathematics

You expect every single problem to be difficult. I think each problem I solved this past exam took over an hour to complete. You can't get discouraged when you make no progress, you just have to find another angle to attack the problem, Mullins said.

He also emphasized the broader value of the competition: I don't think the purpose of the Putnam is to score well on it. I think the spirit of the Putnam is to inspire conversation and collaboration around amazing math problems. If you can get excited about these problems, regardless of whether you can solve them, then the Putnam is for you.

photo of VT students at chalkboard preparing for 2025 Putnam exam

Unlike many many peer institutions that offer a formal Problem Solving course, Virginia Tech supports student success in the Putnam Competition through collaborative, faculty‑guided practice sessions, led by Dr. Fazle Rabby. Dr. Rabby organizes twice‑weekly evening sessions as a service to students who want to tackle challenging mathematical problems and build confidence in problem solving. It is refreshing to spend time with the students. Their curiosity and enthusiasm uplift my spirit, Rabby said.

flyer in maroon and orange displaying 'Putnam Competition (For people who love mathematics) Practice Sessions'. Email: putnam@math.vt.edu Includes VT Mathematics logo.

Since the launch of the sessions in 2024, the number of Virginia Tech students participating in the Putnam has tripled, reflecting that students are eager to engage with challenging mathematics outside the classroom. Rabby said the sessions give students an opportunity to explore connections across different areas of mathematics.

The biggest benefit of attending the Putnam practice sessions is to spend time in problem solving and see how seemingly distant mathematical ideas are so intimately connected in beautiful ways, Rabby said. It also fosters creativity, genuine curiosity, and an extended education towards a more thorough and complete understanding of the undergraduate mathematical curriculum.

This past fall, Virginia Tech’s top Putnam finisher, Grant Mullins, expanded opportunities for math enthusiasts to explore advanced problem solving by introducing 'Math Olympiad'-style weekly sessions. These pre-Putnam sessions, independently led by Mullins, gave students the opportunity to build problem-solving skills using techniques they likely learned in high school. Students are often intimidated by the reputation of the Putnam Competitions, and these sessions provided an entry point for students who might not otherwise participate.

Mullins said he started these sessions because he was in their shoes as a freshman. I felt like I would never be able to solve a Putnam problem, and it was hard not to get discouraged. But once I practiced enough to make even a little progress, it felt so rewarding to see the work pay off. I wanted to give them an environment where they can stay encouraged until they start realizing the rewards of their practice.

Rabby praised Mullins' contributions as both a participant and a mentor: Grant has been an amazing student and a great team player in the Putnam practice sessions. He’s not only an excellent problem solver, but also very skilled at explaining his solutions clearly in both words and writing. Students in the sessions have learned a lot from him about being thorough, patient, and creative when applying ideas from different areas of mathematics.

Grant's success in the Putnam Competition reflects not only individual talent and perseverance, but also the department's growing culture of collaboration and exploration in mathematics.

Email putnam@math.vt.edu for practice session information!