The Rankin Award is designed to recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to NCCTM and to mathematics education in North Carolina.

The award, named in memory of W. W. Rankin, Professor of Mathematics at Duke University and first recipient, is the highest honor NCCTM can bestow upon an individual.

Nominations may be submitted at any time; recipients are announced each year at the State Mathematics Conference. 

For more information see the Nomination Instructions [PDF] or email the Selection Committee Chair, Emogene Kernodle, at nekernodle@yahoo.com.

2024 Rankin Award Winners

Tim Hendrix and Kathy Jaqua

NCCTM is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious W. W. Rankin Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education, the highest honor that NCCTM can bestow upon an individual.

Tim Hendrix was an accomplished mathematics educator, a national mathematics teacher education leader, and an active and contributing member in our North Carolina mathematics education community for many years. Tim’s tenure as the Executive Director for the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators was marked by significant contributions that have had a lasting impact on mathematics teacher education across the country. Tim served AMTE in various capacities, including leadership positions on standing committees, task forces, and as the first AMTE Website Director. Additionally, his role as a consultant for the STaR Fellows Program and his leadership in the AMTE/Get the Facts Out Task Force and the Community Circle for mathematics teacher educators demonstrated commitment to supporting early-career mathematics teacher educators.

In North Carolina, Tim enhanced the mathematics education community through leadership in numerous professional development initiatives. He played key roles in professional development projects like STAMP, PARTNERS for Mathematics Learning, TAP Math, and Project LEAD. He also played a key role in founding AMTE-NC, our state’s affiliate organization of the AMTE. In addition, Tim was an active member and committed leader of NCCTM, serving in a variety of roles on the board, including Parliamentarian, NCCTM State Secretary, Eastern Region and State Vice-President for Colleges and Universities.

Kathy Jaqua began her career as a high school mathematics and English teacher.  After completing a PhD in Mathematics Education and locating to Western Carolina, she demonstrated commitment to teaching and scholarship, and spent time serving as the Department Head and Program Director for the Secondary Mathematics program.

Kathy is a strong advocate for mathematics education in our state.  During an outstanding career, she has been recognized for excellence in teaching as the recipient of the College of Arts & Sciences Teaching Award, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching. She has been a frequent speaker at our state conference but also has spoken many times at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching and at meetings of the Mathematical Association of America.  Her service to the NCCTM Board of Directors includes chair of the Trust Fund Scholarship Committee, member of the Finance Committee, Parliamentarian, Western Region President, State Vice President for Colleges/Universities, and NCCTM President.

Previous Recipients

2023 Sandra Childrey and Ana Floyd
2022 Dr. Vincent Snipes and Dr. Holt Wilson
2019 Catherine Stein Schwartz
2018 Marta Garcia
2017 Martha Ray and Kitty Rutherford
2016 Bampia Bangura and Carol Midgett
2015 Wendy Rich
2014 Ron Preston, Rose Sinicrope
2013 Ray Jernigan, Julie Kolb, Dan Teague
2012 Ann Crawford, Debbie Crocker
2011 Marilyn Preddy
2010 Rebecca Caison
2009 Harold Reiter, Jane Timmerman
2008 David Royster, Jerry Taylor
2007 Ben Klein, Barbara McGill, Bill Scott
2006 Phillip Johnson, Emogene Kernodle, Bill Waters
2005 Bill McGalliard, Betty Long
2004 Randy Harter
2003 Diane Frost
2002 John Goebel, Harold Williford
2001 Ralph Willis
2000 Jan Wessellv
1999 Jane R. (Betty) Barnett, Robert Joyner, Virginia Newell
1998 Roger Bruhwel
1997 Hunter Ballew, Jacquelin Nutt, Janice Richardson
1996 Richard Haworth, Peggy Rooks
1995 Claudette Brownley, Theresa Early
1994 Gilbert Casterlow, Leo Edwards, Jr., Mary Joyce Henderson
1993 Christine W. Gantt, Joyce D. Hooker, Ron Marshall
1992 Annie Puett, Lee Stiff, Linda H. Sullivan
1991 Betty Robinson, Jeane Joyner
1990 Ralph DeVane, Jeanette Gann, Jean Taylor
1989 Elizabeth Frazier, Sue Sams, Olive Taylor
1988 Gerry Francis, Geneva Maney
1987 Ronald Hann
1986 Joseph W. Dodson, William F. Palmer, Betty Williamson
1985 Katharine Hodgin, Ruth Rufty, Katye Sowell
1984 Miriam Leiva, John W. Ogle, Emmett Sams
1982 William Paul
1981 Elaine Bologna
1980 Robert Jones, Josie Thompson
1979 Margo Perkins
1978 John Kolb, Cleo M. Meek
1977 Ruby B. Smith, Herbert E. Speece
1976 Sybil Duckett-Gambell
1975 Annie J. Williams
1974 Marjorie Brown, William W. Rankin