Award for Distinction in Teaching - 2012 winners

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Congratulations to Stephen New and Levent Tuncel, winners of the 2012 Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching!

Stephen New
Professor New has taught over 20 different math courses at Waterloo, including linear algebra, calculus, logic, group and ring theory, number theory, real and complex analysis, algebraic geometry and algebraic topology to students in the Mathematics, Science and Engineering faculties. He has been the trainer for Waterloo’s Putnam team since 2005, and since fall 2010 has organized the Big E and Special K contests.

Professor New consistently earns outstanding student ratings for his teaching. Selected comments from his students:

“His assignments were very challenging, but they were all worth it. It forced me to actually understand and read further from other sources and not just memorize my notes.”

“His lectures are organized, and his notes are brilliantly clear.”

“His instruction is detailed and his pacing is impeccable.”

Levent Tuncel
Professor Tuncel is recognized not only for outstanding teaching, but also the development of optimization courses at all levels.

His students enthusiastically supported Tuncel’s nomination for the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching, referencing his “superhuman perfection” and “keen sense of humour to go along with his fine sense of mathematical beauty.”

“I truly believe Professor Tuncel does all he can to make sure his students both succeed and achieve their highest mathematical potential.”

“A lot of professors can practice giving entertaining lectures, but Dr. Tuncel was also funny and engaging when spontaneously answering questions from students.”

“I feel that he really pushes the students to their limit, and now that I’m pursuing a PhD in math, I really appreciate his classes.”

New and Tuncel join ten past recipients of the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching since its inception:

  • 2011 – J.P. Pretti and Jeffrey Shallit
  • 2010 – Serge D’Alessio and Alfred Menezes
  • 2009 – Ian Goulden and Troy Vasiga
  • 2008 – Robin Cohen and David McKinnon
  • 2007 – Beverly Marshman and Ian VanderBurgh

Nominate your outstanding Faculty of Mathematics teacher for this award!