Frank B. Allen :::
Frank B. Allen
Teacher
Inducted in 2001
Frank B. Allen, now professor of mathematics emeritus, Elmhurst College, began his 46-year
career as a teacher of mathematics in 1929. He holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois
Teacher's College and a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa. During the last
12 of his 23 years at LT, (1956-68) he served as chair of the Mathematics Department, and during
this period, he gained recognition by serving as president of four organizations: the Metropolitan
Mathematics Club of Chicago, the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Mu Alpha Theta, and
the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, where he chaired the committee that produced the
"Secondary Mathematics Curriculum" in 1959. He was also chosen during the Sputnik years (1958-60)
to work with a school mathematics study group to improve mathematics texts for high school math
students. He later co-authored three mathematics texts, emphasizing a logical approach and the
precise use of language. He is honored because many of his students believe that he meets his own
definition of a good teacher: one who knows and loves his subject, grades fairly on the basis of
high standards, and is a good expositor. It is also noteworthy that, at the age of 92, he is still
influencing national policy as national advisor for Mathematically Correct.