Roger B. Nelson

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 has served as the Section's Public Information Officer, Vice-Chair, Chair, Past-Chair, and Governor and also as a member of national MAA committees. Beyond this service he is a devoted teacher, a recognized geometric topologist, an accomplished musician, and a dedicated leader in his church. These attributes were likely nurtured during childhood years spent on the very campus at which he has pursued his mathematical career for the last twenty-eight years.

Roger Nelson, who we honor tonight, grew up in Muncie where his father was Dean of Practical and Fine Arts at Ball State University . After his undergraduate work at Wheaton , Roger completed his Ph.D. at Michigan State University . In 1978 he joined the mathematics faculty at Ball State where he has been very active both within his department and in university-wide service.

Congratulations to you, Roger - our colleague and friend and the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Service Award.

John Lorch, Chair
Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America
March 17, 2006