May 20-21, 2004

ITEM 123-1601-R0504    Authorization to confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics upon E. Otis Thompson; The University of Montana- Western

 THAT: Otis Thompson, Professor of Mathematics, in his 25 years of service to the University of Montana-Western, has merited the appreciation and commendation of the Board of Regents of the University of Montana System and has earned recognition as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics.

EXPLANATION: Dr. Thompson completed his bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at Western Montana College, his M.S. in mathematics and his D. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at Montana State University. He joined the faculty at Western in 1979 as Assistant Professor of Mathematics.

During his career at Western, Dr. Thompson has served Western in a variety of roles. He has been chair of the Department of Mathematics since 1996 and was interim Dean of Faculty in 1993. He served the Department of Mathematics on several committees including Faculty Senate, Computer Planning, and the Program in Arts and Sciences Committee and was President of the Faculty Association. Dr. Thompson has authored several articles in his areas of expertise in mathematics and has been extensively involved in several grant projects. He has been involved in curriculum development for the state of Montana through the Systemic Initiative for Montana Mathematics and Science (SIMMS) project and served as President of the Montana Council for Computers and Technology in Education. At the national level, he has developed modules for teaching discrete mathematics in the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) Faculty Advancement in Mathematics (FAIM) project. From 1999-2003, he was recognized internationally as the principal investigator and lead U.S. mathematics trainer in a U.S. Department of State Fulbright grant project designed to further the training of teachers and the teaching of mathematics and science in South Africa. In 2001, he became the principal investigator for this project.

Throughout his career at The University of Montana-Western, Dr. Otis Thompson has served UM-W and the community with distinction. His dedicated service has earned him the respect of his students, colleagues and professional associates.