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| SERVING THE ON-LINE RPI COMMUNITY SINCE 1994 |
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| Current Issue: |
Volume 130, Number 1 |
July 14, 2009 |
Features
Math professor earns award for impressing his students
Posted 02-01-2007 at 1:19PM
Professor Mark Holmes is the perfect example of what a RPI professor should be. He is both well-educated and charismatic, while possessing the ability to make anything interesting. Last fall, Professor Holmes was my Introduction to Differential Equations instructor. He was able to make every class period enjoyable with his quirky sense of humor and amazing ability to present the material in an understandable way. It is no secret that it is very difficult to make a lecture period interesting and engaging. Mark Holmes, however, did just that. He built every topic up by starting from the basics of mathematics and introductory calculus. In this way, when he approached advanced topics such as rate problems, Fourier transformations and Eigenvalue functions, the students were able to understand the fundamental concepts at the core of each process.
In addition to his skills as a presenter and teacher, Professor Holmes also showed a genuine sense of interest in his student. Professor Holmes led at least two hours of additional instruction for students every Wednesday during his office hours. On any Wednesday morning there were at least 10 students in Professor Holmes’ office, where he would go over difficult concepts or homework problems in addition to helping students prepare for weekly quizzes. He knew most of these students by name and made himself available to help them in any way possible.
It is obviously true that many of the faculty members at RPI are exemplary teachers. I myself have had many professors that have understood their material in an outstanding fashion. I have also experienced professors that truly cared about my learning and growth as a student and a person. Indeed, I have witnessed professors with the ability to make learning fun, interesting, and engaging. RPI would not settle for anything less. I experienced in Mark Holmes’ teaching method, however, the combination of all three of these criteria in a way that made his class the best lecture class I have ever had the pleasure of being in. | |
Posted 02-01-2007 at 1:19PM | |
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