R. H. Bing Award (SB5408)

R.H. Bing (1914–1986) was a renowned and highly-esteemed mathematician. A pioneer in the field of topology, which he described as “geometry with a modern slant,” Bing greatly contributed to the field of mathematics with numerous theorems and publications. Later in his career, he served as president of the Mathematical Association of America and as president of the American Mathematical Society. He completed his undergraduate education at Texas State University (then Southwest Texas State Teachers College) and had to work his way through his bachelor’s degree in the college’s cafeteria. In 1984, the university endowed funds for the R. H. Bing Achievement Scholarship to support undergraduate students studying mathematics, with a preference for those who have an interest in or have successfully completed topology.