Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America
Distinguished Service Award

Citation to

Rick Gillman

The Indiana Section Distinguished Service Award was initiated in 1993 to honor a member of the Section by acknowledging his or her extraordinary contributions to the Section and outstanding efforts consistent with the stated purposes of the Mathematical Association of America and the Section, namely, assisting in promoting the interests of, and improving education in, the mathematical sciences in America, especially at the collegiate level.

This year's recipient rose through ranks as he pursued degrees in mathematics education.  These ranks were not academic ranks.  He started as a crew member and, by the time he finished his master's, had risen to assistant manager -- at a McDonald's Restaurant.  After this somewhat auspicious professional start in Muncie, he went on to earn a Doctor of Arts degree in mathematics at Idaho State University before joining the faculty at Valparaiso University.

Rick Gillman, who we honor tonight as the ninth winner of our Distinguished Service Award, has served the Section as Student Chapter Coordinator and Secretary-Treasurer, and he has also served the national MAA organization as a member of the CUPM Subcommittee on Quantitative Literacy Requirements and the Membership Committee.  Rick is a solid mathematician, specializing in graph theory, but with wide and varied interests, a number of which he has shared with us through presentations at national and section meetings.  His commitment to students and teaching rings clear not only in his mathematical work and in his classroom but also through essentially all of his professional involvements.  With his recent effort to complete and disseminate the problems, solutions, and history of our own ICMC, which we affectionately refer to as "The Friendly Competition," Rick, on behalf of all of us, is furthering our mission to enhance the mathematical lives and experiences of young people in and beyond the borders of Indiana.

Congratulations to Rick Gillman -- our colleague and friend and the recipient of the 2001 Distinguished Service Award.
 

John Emert, Chair

Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America

March 23, 2001