Timothy Carroll

The Michigan Section of the Mathematical Association of America is pleased to announce that Professor Timothy Carroll of Eastern Michigan University has been selected as the 2006–2007 recipient of the Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

Dr. Carroll has been teaching at Eastern Michigan University for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he taught for a total of 6 years at Chicago State University and Bloomsburg University. Immediately after receiving his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Western Michigan University in 1973, he held various technical positions within the banking industry. This practical experience has allowed him to effectively communicate real-life applications of mathematics to his students.

Dr. Carroll’s distinguished teaching career began, while still a graduate student, as a mathematics specialist/coordinator for Project SEED. His abiding interest in reaching minority and at-risk students continues to this day through involvement in the 4S Program of EMU’s Holman Learning Center. Its Director writes, “He seeks out students requiring help and refers them to vital resources in addition to meeting with students identified as having academic difficulties.” His department head writes, “He is a humane and caring person who creates a safe and supportive environment in which students thrive.” A colleague writes, “He is one of the most beloved and respected colleagues in our department–a feeling shared by faculty and students alike.”

Dr. Carroll is a regular contributor of scholarly articles on mathematics’ history. This activity has resulted in the transformation of EMU’s History of Mathematics course for elementary education majors from “stories about mathematicians” into a course that teaches mathematics as it was developed. Since there was no appropriate text, he wrote one, self-published it and distributed it to students on CD. His penchant for math history extends beyond this one course and permeates all that he teaches. The effectiveness of his historical approach to mathematics pedagogy is attested to by his students, one of whom wrote, “Although abstract math courses are not generally known as exciting, Dr. Carroll knows his math history and capitalizes on this to motivate the material.”

Dr. Carroll’s dedication and enthusiasm for the teaching of mathematics is reflected in student testimonials such as, “His passion for mathematics is apparent because he displays a great deal of enthusiasm about the subject, always provides a plethora of examples and presents the material in a way that makes each topic interesting and enjoyable.” This same student concludes, “I believe that he is a teacher who greatly deserves this award.”

The MAA Michigan Section is proud to presents this Award to
Dr. Timothy Carroll.

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