Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America
Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics

Citation to

John LaMaster

The Indiana Section Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of Section members who have been identified as extraordinary teachers in the mathematical sciences and whose teaching effectiveness has been shown to have had influence beyond their own institutions.

During his 27 years of teaching university mathematics in Indiana, this year's recipient has been recognized with numerous teaching awards for his amazing innovation and creativity in the classroom and online. He has received three awards from his institution, two Indiana awards outside of his institution, and two national awards. Notable contributions of this consistent, well-rounded mathematics educator include his interactive videos for students and his nationally recognized work with graphing calculators.

By creating interactive videos, he single-handedly transformed his institution's college algebra class, which is required by 40 baccalaureate degrees and satisfies a graduation requirement for a dozen more degrees. He had been tasked to improve high DFW rates and also to make the class effective in an online format. His department chair states, "Knowing his talent for innovation, I was of course expecting an excellent output, but the result exceeded anything I dreamed. Not only are his videos innovative and engage the user in real world applications, but they are truly entertaining...The student response unanimously states that what [he] has accomplished is simply outstanding!"

This year's recipient has also had great influence beyond his institution. He is a recognized national leader in integrating graphing calculators into mathematics classes. He received the national Leadership Award of Teachers Teaching with Technology, sponsored by Texas Instruments. He has presented over a hundred workshops at high schools, colleges and universities, and professional organizations, including the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Mathematical Association of America. He has given fourteen national webinars for Texas Instruments, and he has been funded by Texas Instruments to present at twenty-one of the last twenty-five Teachers Teaching with Technology conferences.

In closing, consider the following three quotes by some who have worked closely with him:

"Our department and university are well served whenever he undertakes a new task."

"...his face-to-face lectures are extremely well thought out, with constant interaction with his students that creates a learning environment in which all students of all backgrounds thrive."

"...[he] continues to impress me with his commitment to mathematics education as a teacher, partner and mentor to students in K-12 schools and college."

This year's Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics goes to John LaMaster of Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Read on April 5, 2019 by Daniel Kiteck, Ph.D., IN-MAA Distinguished Teaching Award Selection Committee Chair
Lara Pudwell, Section Chair, 2018-2019, Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America