Dr. Charles Wallis, associate professor of mathematics at Brevard College, has been honored by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) as the 2025 recipient of the W.W. Rankin Memorial Award, the highest honor that the statewide organization can bestow upon a member.
The Rankin Award is designed to recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to NCCTM and to mathematics education. The award is named in memory of W.W. Rankin, Professor of Mathematics at Duke University. Wallis accepted the award at the NCCTM’s 55th annual State Mathematics Conference held recently in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“I was overwhelmed and surprised to receive this award,” said Wallis. “It was very special and moving for me to be honored. With our focus on teaching and education, it’s meaningful for Brevard College to be recognized as well.”
The NCCTM awards committee cited Wallis’ work from 2014-17 as a co-lead for Project LEAD, a statewide project that supported approximately 250 high school mathematics teachers from across North Carolina in deepening their understanding of mathematics and strengthening their teaching pedagogies through two-week summer institutes. In total, Wallis has been an active member of NCCTM for more than 25 years, providing sustained service to the organization. A native of Morganton, North Carolina, Wallis is currently in his 20th year teaching at Brevard College where he has taught mathematics since 2006.
Prior to his arrival at Brevard, he served as an assistant professor and later an associate professor at Western Carolina University for 11 years after beginning his teaching career at Gainesville College (Georgia). Wallis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from North Carolina State University with his Master’s and Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University.
At Brevard College, Wallis is a past recipient of the Student Government Association’s Teacher of the Year Award. This academic year at BC, he has been teaching courses such as Pre-Calculus, Calculus 2, Modern Algebra, Probability & Statistics and a theoretical calculus class titled “Real Analysis”.
“Dr. Charles Wallis has always been a strong supporter of students,” said Dr. Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, Brevard College vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty. “It is no surprise that he was recently recognized with an award from the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics that emphasized his support for mathematics education in the state. Brevard College is proud of its excellent faculty, and of Dr. Wallis in particular, who receives this prestigious award recognizing his quality in educating our students.”
Brevard College joins a group of institutions that have produced past winners of the NCCTM’s Rankin Memorial Award, including Appalachian State University, Duke University, East Carolina University, Elon University, North Carolina State University and Western Carolina University.
The award represents the latest example of academic excellence at Brevard College, which has been named one of the Best Colleges in 2026 by U.S. News & World Report as well as being recognized as a College of Distinction both nationally and in the state of North Carolina.
Additionally, Dr. Mel Bringle, professor of philosophy and religious studies at Brevard College, was selected earlier this academic year as the nation’s outstanding teacher by the Association of General and Liberal Studies.
The North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) is the professional organization in North Carolina for the teaching of mathematics. An affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCCTM’s membership includes teachers from all levels, kindergarten through graduate school, and other professionals who work with curriculum and materials for the teaching of mathematics.