Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award: Richard Bishop

Professor Richard L. Bishop is professor emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his nearly 40 years at the University, he guided students in the classroom, including directing the studies of five Ph.D. students and conducted research in the field of mathematics. 

His work in differential geometry led him to co-author two textbooks that have gained recognition as standard graduate texts in that specialty. These textbooks, though originally published 37 years ago, continue to be used today. Since retiring from the University, Professor Bishop has continued conducting mathematical research and publishing his work. He has over 40 articles to his credit. 

Professor Bishop earned his Associate in Arts degree in 1951 from Lake Michigan College. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Case Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He is a member of many environmental organizations and is chair of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

Richard Bishop received a Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006.