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Memoir
Phillip Sanford Jones
Regents' Proceedings 339
Regents' Proceedings 339
Phillip S. Jones, Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Education, will retire from active faculty status as of May 31, 1982, after a productive career as both teacher and researcher.
A native of Elyria, Ohio, Jones came to the University in 1929 where he pursued undergraduate and graduate studies for five years and received an M.A. in 1935. During the period 1934-45 Jones held teaching positions at Jackson High School, Jackson Junior College, Edison Institute of Technology and Ohio State University before returning to the University to complete graduate work for a Ph.D. in the History of Mathematics in 1948.
Professor Jones was appointed to the Mathematics Department at the University as Instructor in 1947 and promoted subsequently to Assistant Professor in 1948, to Associate Professor in 1953 and to Professor in 1958.
Though his thesis and much subsequent research concerned the history of mathematics, Jones maintained great interest in education and the preparation of teachers of school mathematics. He became an essential contact between the University and the schools and junior colleges throughout Michigan, and an annual conference he organized first in 1951 played a vital role in furthering understanding between all concerned with mathematics education in the State.
Professor Jones is known nationally and internationally as an authority on the history of mathematics and mathematics education and has made major contributions to both fields. He is widely recognized for his enthusiastic and unselfish teaching, his freely given service and his scholarly publications.
Professor Jones was elected President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1960-62 and served on the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America and on the National Academy of Science Committee on Mathematics Instruction. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Northern Michigan University and the University of Michigan School of Education has just established the Phillip S. Jones Award in Mathematics Education in his honor.
The Regents now salute this distinguished educator for his dedicated service by naming him Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Education.