Dr. Benjamin Freed, professor of mathematics at Clarion University, has received the Certificate of Meritorious Service Award for service to a section of the Mathematics Association of America (MAA).

            Freed has served the Allegheny Mountain Section for many years as an active member and an elected officer. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Section from 2001-06, at which time he became treasurer, an office he still holds today. He previously served the Section as second vice chair and first vice chair.

             The Certificate of Meritorious Service is presented for service at the national level or for service to a Section of the Association. The first such awards were made in 1984. At each January meeting of the Association, honorees from several Sections are recognized.

            The announcement of the award reads, "Freed is a solid leader and a steadying presence on the Section's executive committee. As treasurer, Freed is a good and careful steward of Section funds, while encouraging the Section to spend money on important initiatives such as Project NExT and special events at Section meetings. He has long performed many important tasks for the Section, while receiving little public recognition. Freed, more than anyone else, is usually responsible for the smooth running of the Section's spring meeting, as he handles much of preregistration, works with the MAA and other book publishers, and sets up and manages the book exhibits, among other tasks. The MAA is proud to present Dr. Benjamin Freed with the 2010 MAA Certificate of Meritorious Service."

            Freed received his B.S. degree from Marietta College and M.A. and Ph.D. from Kent State University. He has taught at Clarion University since 1975 and in 1996 received the Clarion University Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award.

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