Richard Tapia Receives 2004 AMS Award for Distinguished Public Service

For more information, contact:
Mike Breen or Annette Emerson, AMS Public Awareness Officers
Email: paoffice@ams.org
Telephone: 401-455-4000
Fax: 401-331-3842

January 8, 2004

PROVIDENCE, RI---Richard Tapia of Rice University is receiving the 2004 Award for Distinguished Public Service. Presented every other year by the American Mathematical Society, this award recognizes a research mathematician who has made a distinguished contribution to the mathematics profession during the preceding five years. The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize those individuals who contribute their time to public service activities in support of mathematics. The prize will be awarded today at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tapia is honored for inspiring and teaching thousands of people, from elementary school students to senior citizens, to study and appreciate the mathematical sciences. The prize citation states: "His dedication to opening doors for underrepresented minorities and women is legendary, as is his determination to reach students who would otherwise be discouraged or overlooked. Educational and outreach programs that he has founded and leads, such as the Rice University Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, represent a continuing tribute to his energy and perseverance." Tapia is a founding member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and one of the first recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

Further information about AMS prizes may be found at http://www.ams.org/prizes-awards.

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