Phillip McNeil Named
2007 NAFEO NOBLE Prize Laureate
Norfolk, Va.—Phillip McNeil, professor of
mathematics at Norfolk State University, has been
selected as the 2007 National Association for Equal
Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) NOBLE Prize
laureate in the area of mathematics. With the advice and
consent of the NAFEO Board of Directors and the 2007
Conference Committee, McNeil was selected because he has
distinguished himself as a leading educator, researcher
and developer of mathematics curricula among
historically black colleges and universities, and
predominantly black institutions.
McNeil, who is one of nine prize recipients from various
disciplines, will be honored at NAFEO’s 32nd
National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education Gala
Awards Banquet on Friday, March 16. At the banquet, he
will receive the NOBLE Prize and a monetary award.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, McNeil served
as chair of the NSU math department for a total of 18
years. He was instrumental in reforming the
department’s programs, making them more
interdisciplinary and practical. He also presided over
the creation of the now thriving computer science
program. Recently, he has been engaged in a statewide,
collaborative program to train public school teachers as
mathematics specialists. In connection with this
program, he assisted in the development of a statewide
master’s degree for mathematics specialists. He has also
directed a number of summer institutes for in-service
public school teachers and sponsored numerous faculty
development programs for Norfolk State faculty, and
faculty at other institutions.
McNeil, the author of numerous special publications and
journals, has a Ph.D. and master’s degree in mathematics
from Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s
degree in mathematics/physics from Ohio University. In
his spare time, McNeil, an accomplished violinist, loves
to listen to and play classical music.
Founded in 1969 by a group
of HBCU presidents as the professional association of
the presidents and chancellors of the nation's
historically and predominantly black colleges and
universities, NAFEO represents approximately 400,000
students and their families, and African Americans
across the higher education spectrum. NAFEO member
institutions are public and private, two and four year
community, regional, national and international
comprehensive research institutions, located in
twenty-five states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin
Islands and Brazil.
