Michael DeMatteis, a December graduate of Schoolcraft, is the first-place winner of the annual Pythagorean Prize of $1,000. The prize honors the best math student at the college, recognizing exceptional grades in math courses and exams, and students who have a real interest in and love of mathematics.

DeMatteis, who now studies computer engineering part time at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, earned an A in every one of his mathematics classes at Schoolcraft. In his essay for the Pythagorean Prize, he proposed a network-based tool to give all students the opportunity to collaborate on line, as distance learning students do regularly.

A somewhat nontraditional student at 30, DeMatteis is married and has worked full time at an auto dealership for the past 13 years, ever since graduating from high school. After working for some time, he recognized the importance of more education, and began studying at Schoolcraft, first in criminal justice and then in engineering. Having success in his classes has given him a “huge, huge, huge boost of confidence,” he says.