Osler honored for distinguished teaching by Mathematical Association of America

Osler honored for distinguished teaching by Mathematical Association of America

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Rowan University professor Tom Osler has been recognized for his stellar record of teaching by the New Jersey Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

A mathematics professor at Rowan since 1972, Osler, of Glassboro, received the MAA's 2009 Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics during a ceremony held recently at Monmouth University.

According to the MAA, the association instituted the award in 1991 in order "to honor college or university teachers who have been widely recognized as extraordinarily successful, and whose teaching effectiveness has been shown to have had influence beyond their own institutions."

Osler's "classes are extremely popular with his students and are often overenrolled," Rowan math professor Christopher Simons said in his nomination of Osler. "He has a captivating and gentle lecturing style and since 1999 he has been extremely successful in encouraging and guiding student research, primarily with undergraduates."

Over the past nine years, Osler's research work with students has resulted in at least 36 publications, including The College Mathematics Journal, Mathematics and Computer Education, Mathematics Magazine, The Mathematical Spectrum, The Mathematical Scientist, and The Euler Archive, among others.

A member of MAA for three decades, Osler has had over 100 mathematical papers accepted or published during his career, including over 90 primarily expository papers since 1998.

An accomplished runner, Osler earned his bachelor's degree in physics from Drexel University and his master's and doctoral degrees from New York University.

Osler is the second Rowan professor to receive the MAA award. In 2000, mathematics professor Janet Caldwell received the award.