Computing in the Wee Hours

As a question on a homework assignment, Computer Science Associate Professor Scot Drysdale recently assigned his class a problem related to his research project—which studies the way computers work with machine tools. None of the students could solve the problem, but that wasn't the point. When Drysdale shares his work with students, they get a glimpse of what computing might look like when they graduate. "Computer science is; an unusual field," he says. "What was a research project five years ago is part of a second-level course in computers today."

In presenting material, Drysdale tries to view the subject from the perspective of someone who does not understand. Outside of the classroom, he makes an extra effort at making himself available for help. Besides communicating with students through electronic mail and holding office hours, Drysdale is the adviser to most computer-science majors, regularly leads freshman trips, and has been known to check in on his charges in the Bradley Hall computer lab at two in the morning.

Don Pease gives himself the leviathan task of passing along his knowledge of American writers. He also speaks at alumni clubs.