1999 Mathematical Association of America
Certificate for Meritorious Service
Citation to

Billy E. Rhoades

Billy E. Rhoades joined the MAA in 1952 when he was a graduate student at Rutgers University. The Rutgers Mathematics Department Head at that time - Emory Starke, who played a prominent role during the first half decade of the MAA - would have been proud to foresee the accomplishments and service record of Professor Rhoades, who retired as Professor of Mathematics at Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1994 with a distinguished and continuing record of mathematical research and contributions to mathematics education.

Billy was a member of the Philadelphia Section (now the EPADEL Section) of the MAA for ten years while he was a faculty member at Lafayette College, which he left in 1963 to join the Committee on the Undergraduate Preparation in Mathematics (CUPM).  He served CUPM full time during two crucial years, first as Associate Director and then as Executive Director, until 1965 when he went to Indiana.

While in Indiana Professor Rhoades continued to serve the MAA at the national level through numerous committee and panel appointments including CUPM, the Committee on Placement Exams, the Committee on Advisement and Personnel, and the Committee on Membership as well as joint appointments with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the College Entrance Examination Board.  A tireless supporter of the Indiana Section, Billy held the positions of Section Vice-Chair and Chair from 1967 to 1969 and Section Governor from 1969 to 1972.  He is always willing to do committee work within the Section and to make presentations at Section meetings.  His exceptional service to the Indiana Section was recognized previously when he received the Section's Distinguished Service Award in 1994.

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that the Indiana Section awards this Certificate of Meritorious Service to Billy E. Rhoades of  Indiana University, Bloomington.