Tribute to Dan Dolan - By Mary Buck

Montana Dan Dolan 

Dan Dolan, or should I say Dom Dolan. There is no doubt that Dan Dolan created one of the best trained forces of math teachers in the world. The Math people in Montana were referred to on the national level as the Montana Math Mafia!


Dan had a vision that few had in the early eighties. It all began with Columbus Returns – an incredible publication focused on student problem solving, student struggle and perseverance in a very well laid out curriculum. It continued with his work on the NCTM standards and his commitment to the EMME and IMPACT grants. Not to mention his work with Challenge of the Unknown and Mathematics for the 20th Century.


His leadership at the state level was one to be commended. He fought hard for the math teachers of this state. He created a community of math educators K-University that worked well together with the interest of student learning and preparing students for the 20th century always at the heart of everything he/we did. His leadership at the state and national level was always prominent. I could go on and on forever about Dan’s professional accomplishments – there are just too many to list.

More importantly than his professional achievements were his personal achievements. Dan was a friend, colleague, cheer leader and a family member. He created opportunities for Montana math teachers to grow professionally and believed in us every step of the way. He fought tirelessly to do this, obtaining grants and working with school districts. Through his belief and support, many of us were not only involved at the state level in mathematics, but he pushed us to be involved nationally. Per capita, Montana had more math teachers involved at the national level than any other state in the nation.


I personally have to say that through all of his work in mathematics probably the most meaningful to me is the number of life long friendships that were created amongst the math teachers K-University in the state of Montana due to his leadership. He was a dear friend, colleague and partner in mathematics – he was well loved and he will be greatly missed. The mathematics community has truly lost a Giant!