2010 Ohio Section Award for
Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics


Richard Little
Baldwin-Wallace College


little


The recipient of the 2010 Ohio Section Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics is Dr. Richard Little from Baldwin-Wallace College. The award was presented to Dick during the Spring Section Meeting on April 16, 2010. For over 39 years Dick Little has been teaching mathematics in Ohio ―motivating students at all levels to grow in their mathematical understanding. Colleagues and students alike speak about his dedication to the students – personally as well as in the classroom – motivating them to do their best. He has encouraged countless students in their pursuit of graduate studies, mentored prospective and new teachers at all levels, and shared his many innovative teaching techniques with colleagues at Ohio MAA Section meetings. Dick "is truly a citizen of the academic community, always learning, and venturing outside his own discipline, again not counting the cost in terms of study or effort." Dick continues to be actively involved in the MAA, the OCTM, and the NCTM. He has served the Ohio Section as a member of the Program Committee, editor of the Section newsletter, and President. As a member of the OCTM, he served as Vice-President, President, and director of the annual statewide mathematics contest, which he remains involved with as a member of the grading team. His involvement in the NCTM includes having served on the Professional Development and Status Advisory Committee and the Program Committee for the 75th Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. Dick shares his passion for teaching and for mathematics by giving talks at MAA and NCTM meetings – to date, he has given talks in over 30 states and 3 Canadian Provinces. Dick has received other awards in recognition of his passion and dedication to teaching. He received the OCTM Christofferson-Fawcett Award (1990) and the Baldwin- Wallace Strosacker Award for Excellence in Teaching (1999). Dick is also very proud of the fact that at least 4 former students who have gone on to complete their PhD‘s are now tenured faculty members of mathematics in Ohio Colleges or Universities. I think we can all agree with the following statements made in Dick‘s nomination packet:  "Dr. Richard Little is extraordinary in his dedication to the teaching of Mathematics." and  "Dr. Richard Little is a rare example of total commitment to teaching of mathematics at all levels. He is well deserving of the honor of receiving the Ohio Section Distinguished Teaching Award."

Submitted by Vickie Van Dresar
Ashland University
Section Teaching Award Committee
Chair, 2009-2010