2010 Ohio Section Award for
Distinguished College or University Teaching of
Mathematics
Richard Little
Baldwin-Wallace College
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
