Danica McKellar is an American actress, mathematics writer, and education advocate. She is best known for playing Winnie Cooper on the popular TV show The Wonder Years, and for writing books that make math fun and accessible for girls. But did you know that she also has a degree in mathematics from one of the top universities in the world? In this article, we will explore the question: Where did Danica McKellar go to college?
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danica McKellar | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Bachelor of Science (BS) | Mathematics | 1998 |
Educational Journey
Danica McKellar attended UCLA from 1994 to 1998, where she majored in mathematics. She was a stellar student who graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors) and earned a 4.0 GPA (grade point average). She also received several scholarships and awards for her academic excellence, such as the Pi Mu Epsilon Award for outstanding work in mathematics1.
One of her most notable achievements was co-authoring a research paper with two professors and another student that proved a new mathematical theorem. The theorem, which deals with magnetism in two dimensions, is now known as the Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem2. The paper was published in a prestigious journal called the Journal of Physics A: Mathematics and General3.
Danica McKellar had a passion for math since she was a child, but she also enjoyed acting and performing. She balanced her studies with her acting career, appearing in several TV shows and movies while in college. Some of her roles included Elsie Snuffin on The West Wing, Christy Huddleston on Christy: A Change of Seasons, and Rana Thomas on Babylon 5. She also participated in extracurricular activities such as dancing and singing.
Early Life and Background
Danica McKellar was born on January 3, 1975, in La Jolla, California. She moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was eight years old. Her mother Mahaila was a homemaker and her father Christopher was a real estate developer. She has a younger sister named Crystal, who is also an actress and a lawyer.
Danica McKellar started acting at a young age in her mother’s dance studio. She appeared in her first commercial when she was 10 years old. She got her big break when she was cast as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, a coming-of-age comedy-drama that ran from 1988 to 1993. She played the love interest of the main character Kevin Arnold, portrayed by Fred Savage. The show was a huge success and won several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Danica McKellar was also interested in math and science from an early age. She excelled in school and took advanced classes. She credits her parents for encouraging her to pursue her academic goals and supporting her talents. She also had influential teachers who inspired her to love math and challenged her to think critically.
Post-College Journey
After graduating from UCLA, Danica McKellar continued to act and write. She appeared in many TV shows and movies, such as Static Shock, Justice League Unlimited, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Young Justice, Project Mc2, and The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!. She also starred in several Hallmark Channel movies, such as Crown for Christmas, Love at the Christmas Table, My Christmas Dream, Campfire Kiss, Coming Home for Christmas, Very Very Valentine, Love in Design, Christmas at Grand Valley, Love and Sunshine, Matchmaker Mysteries: A Killer Engagement, Christmas at Dollywood, Matchmaker Mysteries: A Fatal Romance, Christmas She Wrote, and many more.
Danica McKellar also became a successful author of math books for girls. She wanted to share her enthusiasm for math and help girls overcome their fears or doubts about the subject. She wrote six books that explain math concepts in a fun and engaging way using real-life examples, puzzles, games, quizzes, tips, and stories. Her books are: Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail (2007), Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss (2008), Hot X: Algebra Exposed (2010), Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape (2012), Goodnight Numbers (2017), and Do Not Open This Math Book: Addition + Subtraction (2018). Her books have been praised by critics and readers alike, and have become New York Times bestsellers.
Danica McKellar’s college education has influenced and shaped her career in many ways. She has used her math skills and knowledge to create educational and entertaining content for girls and young women. She has also used her acting skills and experience to portray diverse and complex characters on screen. She has made connections with many people in the entertainment and academic industries, such as her co-stars, directors, producers, professors, and fellow students. She has also become a role model and a spokesperson for math education and empowerment for girls.
Impact and Significance
Danica McKellar’s educational background is highly respected and admired in her field. She is one of the few celebrities who have a degree in mathematics, and one of the even fewer who have proved a new math theorem. She is also one of the few actresses who have written books on math for girls. She has received many honors and recognition for her work, such as the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award in 2014 and the Raytheon Math Hero Award in 2018.
Danica McKellar has also shared her thoughts and insights about her college years in various interviews and articles. She has said that she enjoyed learning new things and challenging herself in college, and that she felt proud of her accomplishments. She has also said that she faced some difficulties and doubts along the way, such as balancing her acting and studying schedules, dealing with stereotypes and expectations, and coping with stress and pressure. She has advised students to follow their passions, work hard, seek help when needed, and have fun.
Interesting Anecdotes
Here are some interesting anecdotes from Danica McKellar’s college years:
- She was once mistaken for a math tutor by a fellow student who did not recognize her from The Wonder Years. She helped him with his homework anyway.
- She had a crush on one of her math professors, who later became her co-author on the paper that proved the Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem.
- She auditioned for the role of Elsie Snuffin on The West Wing while wearing a UCLA sweatshirt. The show’s creator Aaron Sorkin was impressed by her intelligence and hired her on the spot.
- She sang the national anthem at her graduation ceremony with fellow UCLA alumna Sara Bareilles.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Danica McKellar’s college journey is relevant to today’s students who are interested in pursuing similar fields or careers. Here are some lessons or takeaways for them:
- Math is not boring or scary. It is fun and useful. You can learn math through games, stories, examples, and applications that relate to your interests and goals.
- Math is not only for boys or geniuses. It is for everyone. You can excel in math regardless of your gender, background, or personality. You can overcome any obstacles or challenges that you may face along the way.
- Math is not only for academics or nerds. It is for artists and performers too. You can combine math with your other talents and passions, such as acting, writing, singing, dancing, or anything else you enjoy doing.
- Math is not only for yourself or your grades. It is for others too. You can use math to help others learn, grow, and succeed. You can use math to make a positive difference in the world.
Conclusion
In this article, we have answered the question: Where did Danica McKellar go to college? We have learned that she attended UCLA, where she majored in mathematics and graduated summa cum laude. We have also learned about her achievements, challenges, experiences, and stories from her college years. We have seen how her college education influenced her career as an actress and an author. We have also seen how her educational background is respected and admired in her field. Finally, we have discussed how her college journey is relevant to today’s students who want to follow their dreams.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Danica McKellar’s college journey. We encourage you to pursue your own college education goals and discover your own potential. Remember: Math doesn’t suck; it rocks!