MMA Honors Bardzell as Distinguished Mathematics Teacher

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Mike Bardzell of Salisbury University’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is known for engaging students with lighthearted humor but also through deep exploration of research topics.  For such efforts, he has been recognized as a distinguished teacher by the Mathematical Association of America.

He has received the association’s 2007 Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics for the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region. The honor, bestowed annually on an outstanding educator, was given at an April 14 meeting in Roanoke, VA.

“Bardzell excels in all areas of faculty responsibility but his finest accomplishments are in teaching,” said Dr. Kathleen Shannon, chair of the department, who nominated him. “His casual and informal style within classroom, where he uses humor and encourages students to do same, creates an effective learning atmosphere, which I believe has led to greater numbers of majors participating in undergraduate research and discipline-related extra-curricular activities and to greater numbers of our alumni in graduate programs.”

During his 10 years at SU, Bardzell has taught some 23 courses at all levels of curriculum. He strongly encourages undergraduate research, assisting students in exploring subjects from physics and engineering to pure mathematics and group theory.  Almost every year, he has had a student present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and numerous students speak locally.

In collaboration with colleagues, Bardzell also has successfully obtained two National Science Foundation grants for curriculum development and support of undergraduate research. A recipient of SU’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 2001, he has played an integral role in the establishment of Undergraduate Research Conference on campus.

Outside of the classroom, Bardzell was a longtime advisor to SU’s math club and helped students establish a chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society.  Locally, he helped develop summer Geometry courses, a Real World Mathematics professional development program and an algebra workshop for middle school teachers.

The Mathematical Association of America award honors faculty for extraordinary success and teaching effectiveness that influences others beyond their institutions. An association member since 1997, Bardzell is nominated for its national Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

Bardzell earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Virginia Tech University in 1996.  For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.