Alan Zollman, a professor of mathematical sciences, is the new president-elect of the international School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA).
Zollman was installed as president-elect at the association’s annual convention in November. He will begin his two-year term as president next year at the 2008 Convention in Raleigh, N.C.
Founded in 1901, SSMA is dedicated to improving instruction at all levels in and between science and mathematics. Its primary work and publications address the needs of all of those involved in the science and mathematics teaching and learning processes.
“It’s one of the oldest mathematics or science organizations in the country, and I think this appointment speaks to the respect the mathematics community has for NIU’s work in the area of mathematics education,” Zollman said.
The SSMA focuses on three areas: teacher education and in-service; research in science and mathematics education; and teaching ideas and activities for grades K-12.
SSMA’s main activities include conducting national conferences; funding innovative classroom projects through its Endowment Grant Program; and publication of its newsletter, “Mathematics-Science Connector” and its journal, “School Science and Mathematics.”
A professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences since 1993, Zollman has given dozens of national presentations and published numerous articles on mathematics education. As a national speaker for Staff Development Resources of Torrance, Calif., he also has given more than 70 national workshops on methods of teaching mathematics in 30 states for about 15,000 middle school teachers and administrators.
In 2005, he was awarded NIU’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Additionally, Zollman is a past-vice president of publications for the “Research Council of Mathematics Learning” and hasserved on the Illinois Teacher Certification Standards Committee, the Illinois Prairie State Achievement Examination Standards Committee and the editorial board for “Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics.”
Professor of Accountancy Chih-Chen Lee has been selected as the first-ever Michael and Patricia Strachan Professor of Accountancy.
The professorship was created by Michael Strachan, a 1976 graduate of the NIU Accountancy program, and his wife, Patricia, who have been generous supporters of the college for several years. They also established an endowed scholarship fund in 2003.
Professor of Accountancy Rebecca Shortridge has been selected as the first-ever Gaylen and Joanne Larson Professor of Accountancy.
The professorship was created by Gaylen Larson, a 1962 graduate of the NIU Accountancy program, who was selected as the department’s outstanding alumnus in 1988.