Carmen Latterell of Duluth has been named Alum of the Month for June 2007 at The College of St. Scholastica.

The Alum of the Month designation recognizes alumni who are role models to current students and an inspiration to St. Scholastica alumni.

Latterell graduated from St. Scholastica in 1988 with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and mathematics education. Subsequently, she received her master's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota Duluth and her Ph.D. in mathematics education from the University of Iowa.

She is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is the author of "Math Wars: A Guide for Parents and Teachers" and "How to Prepare for College Mathematics Placement Tests."

"While I am proud of my position at UMD, my degrees and publications," said Latterell, "I am most proud when a student says that I have helped him or her."

In addition to the wisdom imparted by St. Scholastica mentors, Latterell appreciated the Benedictine values she learned while at the College. One of the greatest, she says, is the idea of balance. "It isn't good," she said, "to pick out just one value, no matter how wonderful, and make that one's entire life. Balance takes hard work and discipline, but it's worth it in the end."

The College of St. Scholastica is regularly recognized as one of the finest colleges in the Midwest. The 2007 "America's Best Colleges" survey by U.S. News & World Report magazine ranks St. Scholastica in the top tier of Midwestern universities. The Washington Post has rated St. Scholastica as one of the nation's 100 "hidden gems" among U.S. colleges and universities.