Mathematics faculty named Professor of the Year

Matthew Boelkins, professor of mathematics, was named one of three recipients of the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award by the Michigan Association of State Universities.

Boelkins and the other recipients will be honored April 15 during a MASU luncheon at the Lansing Center.

Boelkins joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1998. Since then, he has built a national reputation for his innovative, open-source calculus textbook, "Active Calculus." Boelkins and mathematics faculty David Austin and Steve Schlicker were co-authors of the textbook that encourages faculty to use active learning pedagogy in first- and second-semester calculus courses. The book is endorsed by the American Institute of Mathematics' Open Textbook Initiative.

He is active in the profession, serving as co-editor-in-chief  for PRIMUS (Problems, Resources and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies), and first vice president of the Mathematical Association of America. Boelkins is also the director of New Student Advising and Registration.

In her nomination letter, Provost Gayle R. Davis said Boelkins "embraces the inquiry-based learning methodology that has become increasingly important in recent years." She noted that Boelkins emphasizes written and oral communications in all of his courses and led an effort to have students in his Euclidean Geometry class write their own textbook over the semester as they developed key ideas.

"His course designs emphasize student participation, and, at the same time, Professor Boelkins is considered by students to be one of the most challenging faculty members in mathematics," Davis said.

Davis noted he led improvements to the university's summer program, such as emphasizing core messages and goals, and organizing incoming students in small groups per their interest areas. Davis said these efforts have contributed to increased retention and student success.

The MASU Distinguished Professor of the Year Award candidates are nominated by their institutions. Criteria include having significant impact with undergraduate students, contributions to the institution and community, and scholarship and innovation.

Boelkins has earned several honors at Grand Valley, including the Glenn A. Niemeyer, Outstanding Academic Advising and Student Services, and Division of Science and Mathematics Pew FTLC Teaching Excellence awards.