In 1986 an anonymous donor gave the Mathematical Association of America funds sufficient to support a prize honoring inspiring and dedicated teachers. The prize is to be named after Merten M. Hasse, who was a former teacher of the donor, and who exemplified these qualities of a fine teacher. The prize is designed to be an encouragement to younger mathematicians to take up the challenge of exposition and communication.
- The Merten M. Hasse Prize is for a noteworthy expository paper appearing in an Association publication, at least one of whose authors is a younger mathematician. As a general guideline, younger mathematician refers to an author under the age of forty at the time of acceptance of the paper, but the Committee may take into account other factors, such as the number of years in the profession. The prize is to be $1000, together with a certificate, and is to be awarded at Summer Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America in odd-numbered years.
- In case of joint authorship, each author shall receive a certificate; the prize money shall be equally divided among those authors who qualify under regulation 1.
- The award is to be made for material published during the four calendar years beginning January 1 five years prior to the time of the award.
- The prize may be given for a paper which has already been recognized by an Allendoerfer, Ford, or Polya Award.
- The recipient of the award is to be recommended by a standing Committee on the Merten M. Hasse Prize, to be appointed by the President of the Association. The committee consists of three members, the terms of the first members to be one, two and three years, respectively, and the terms of subsequent members to be three years. Any member of the committee is eligible for reappointment. The recommendation of the committee shall be confirmed by the Board of Governors.