INDIANA SECTION OF THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS

CITATION TO

David Finn

The Indiana Section Crawford Teaching Award 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. This year’s Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America Crawford Teaching Award goes to David Finn of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Prof. Finn has been a faculty member for close to 3 decades, and his impact includes not just extensive teaching and mentoring, but also course design and support for a wide variety of students’ needs, and even a citation on the film and TV site IMDB. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has shaped the academic journeys of countless students and colleagues alike.

David's commitment to student success is not limited to those already excelling. On the contrary, he finds ways to guide and motivate students who struggle. For example, since the fall of 2023, he has led an alternative calculus sequence designed to provide a strong mathematical foundation for students whose high school backgrounds left them underprepared. But his mentorship extends to the senior level too, where he consistently volunteers to supervise math majors that others may be hesitant to take on—often students who have struggled in upper-level courses—guiding them to complete remarkable capstone projects.

David’s dedication to student development begins even before the academic year starts through his leadership in the Accelerated Math Physics Program. Since 2012, he has served as the co-director of this intensive summer initiative, where he was instrumental in designing and teaching the mathematics portion for incoming first-year students. By helping these cohorts earn credit for multivariable calculus before their first semester, he ensures they are positioned for long-term success in their studies. His influence on student research is equally longstanding, having served as a Co-PI and mentor for the Rose-Hulman REU as far back as 2003, helping to shape the research capabilities of undergraduates for over two decades.

Perhaps most distinguishing is David’s selfless commitment to his department, his colleagues, and the broader campus community. He is known for "quietly shouldering" a substantial service load, which includes chairing and participating in multiple committees. He also consistently steps up in times of need; on more than one occasion he has taken on extra teaching load to address staffing issues or medical leaves, refusing to let untenured colleagues take on overloads, choosing instead to carry the extra burden himself.

For his tireless work across disciplinary lines and his unwavering support of the entire academic community, we are proud to honor David Finn with this award.

Juanita Pinzon Caicedo, Crawford Teaching Award Selection Committee Chair
Jeremy Case, Section Chair
Indiana Section of the MAA
April 10, 2026