Dr. John R. Durbin is a professor of Mathematics at The University of Texas Austin. A native Kansan, he received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Wichita (now Wichita State University), and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He came to UT immediately thereafter. Professor Durbin has been active in faculty governance at the University for many years. He served as chair of the Faculty Senate, 1982-84 and 1991-92, and as Secretary of the General Faculty, 1975-76 and 1998-2003. In September of 2003 he received the University & Civitatis Award,in recognition of dedicated and meritorious service to the University above and beyond the regular expectations of teaching, research, and writing. He has received a Teaching Excellence Award from the College of Natural Sciences and an Outstanding Teaching Award from the Department of Mathematics.