EDITORIAL: A Class Act

Undergraduate Math ChairUndergraduate Math ChairDennis DeTurck is an exampleUndergraduate Math ChairDennis DeTurck is an examplefor all department heads toUndergraduate Math ChairDennis DeTurck is an examplefor all department heads tofollow.Undergraduate Math ChairDennis DeTurck is an examplefor all department heads tofollow.______________________________ Undergraduate Mathematics Chairperson Dennis DeTurck is one man who defies the stereotype. As head of his department, DeTurck has consistently shown a willingness to meet with students and an openness to new ideas that have sometimes been lacking at the University. He has been on the cutting edge of interdepartmental cooperation since his arrival at the University. For him education is more than just nuts and bolts -- it's establishing a progressive intellectual growth that cuts across disciplines. He has also dealt with the thorny issue of Maple in an exemplary manner. When it was first introduced last year, the Calculus program was uniformly lambasted by students for being expensive, confusing and ineffective. DeTurck immediately set up forums to discuss the program, met with students interested in redesigning it and organized Maple tutoring sessions for freshmen. He once again was ready and willing to hear more input on Wednesday, when Maple was discussed at a special forum. part of the UA's Program for Student Advocacy. Despite the usual measly attendance (a dozen or so students showed up), DeTurck fielded all questions and listened to new ideas. And in addition to all this, DeTurck also knows his job pretty well. Last year, he was awarded the University's most prestigious teaching accolade -- the Lindback Award. A number of faculty members and administrators could learn a lot from Dennis DeTurck and his perspective on student input. He is an example of what an Ivy League professor should be.