Murphy Award
Professor Robert Zink was one of five Purdue faculty members to receive an Outstanding
Undergraduate Teaching Award in Memory of Charles B. Murphy, Professor Emeritus of
History. The $3,000 awards, given for "meritorious and effective performance in the
instruction of undergraduate students," were presented at the University Honors
Convocation on April 12.
Many of the courses which Bob has taught over the years are primarily designed for
undergraduate majors, reflecting his deep interest and involvement in the undergraduate
mathematics program; however, he has also taught a variety of other undergraduate
courses, including large calculus lectures, advanced placement calculus, and differential
equations for science and engineering students. Motivated by a strong sense of
responsibility for his students' mathematical well being, Bob makes himself available to
them by holding a large number of office hours. In addition to helping his own students,
he is always willing to work with students not enrolled in his courses. More often than not
when passing by his office, one can observe three or four students receiving help in a
friendly atmosphere.
For many years, Bob was a mainstay of our calculus instruction, teaching
MA 161, 162, 261 or 262 in classes of about 400 students semester after semester. He
always developed a wonderful rapport with his students even though required to teach
relatively dry material to these enormous classes.
About ten years ago, Bob changed direction and began putting his effort into upper
level mathematics courses, especially Abstract Algebra (MA 453, 450, 454). This course
is required of all mathematics majors and has been a traditional stumbling block in
mathematics programs nationwide. It is the first introduction to "abstract mathematics" for
most mathematics majors, and many find that though they enjoyed calculus, they don't like
"abstract mathematics." In these courses, Bob, because of his personality, interest in
students and teaching skills, has been able to draw many, many students (including some
apparently weak and demoralized students) into mathematics. Furthermore, he has been
highly successful in getting his students to take a second semester of abstract algebra.
(Bob also has an excellent record of successfully encouraging his students to go to graduate
school in mathematics.) Despite the fact that the content of these courses is relatively static
and that he has taught them often, he always manages to bring a freshness and spontaneity
to his teaching, perhaps in part because he is constantly reworking his notes and his
presentation of the material.
Bob has served as counselor to many Purdue students. For several years, he was
an academic advisor to undergraduates (when the department was doing that work). His
participation in the Faculty Fellows Program since its inception in 1967 has involved
informal academic counseling. Both in the residence halls (Fowler Courts and Fowler
House) and at the Wesley Foundation, Bob has been sought out by students who want to
discuss mathematical problems, as well as personal matters. He has also served as an
advisor to Tomahawk (a student service organization), Shoemaker (a cooperative housing
unit), and has been involved through the years with student activities at the Wesley
Foundation and University Church.
In 1985, Bob was the first recipient of the Frederick L. Hovde Outstanding Faculty
Fellow Award. He was selected by juniors and seniors in the School of Science as one of
the Top Ten Outstanding Teachers in the School six times during the period 1987-94, and
in 1993-94 was named the Outstanding Teacher in the School.
Few faculty at Purdue have excelled as Bob has in teaching in the broadest possible
meaning of the word. A hearty congratulations to you, Bob!
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