These have been taken from course evaluations and email students have sent me.

"By the way, I watched a movie called, "Good Morning, Vietnam" (Robin Williams) last weekend. You have a very similar character like the main actor in the movie." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2003

"In all my years of schooling I can't recall feeling sorry that a class was ending but I am sorry that we only have three more classes left." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2003

"Tom communicates his knowledge, as well as his desire for everyone is his class to understand, VERY well. This is very helpful all throughout the quarter." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"An excellent and interesting person." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"Question: The Instructor demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for the subject. Student Comment: Used the words beautiful and cool all the time." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"Dr Roby is probably the most enthusiastic math prof I have ever had. He really seems to make an effort to get his students interested in the subject." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"Question: The instructor was available for consultation and assistance. Student Comment: Yes!! He made it very clear that our questions were valued and encouraged! He even had us email him and he responded promptly to our questions. I loved it." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"MY BRAIN IS FULL!" 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"Question: Give an overall rating of instructor. Student Comment: A. This instructor was among the clearest, most personable, most enthusiastic professors I have had." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"This was the best class I have taken here. Dr. Roby presents the material in a meaningful way and teaches for understanding. He is approachable and friendly. His enthusiasm for the material is evident and contagious." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"Writing on the blackboard is a 19th Century technology especially with the free standing blackboards. Prof. Roby should either use 20th Century overhead projectors (with handouts for students) or 21st Century video projection (students download from web)." 3600 Number Theory, Winter 2001

"I felt inspired to write this note to you because you are the only one I know who is as excited about math as I am. It wasn't until a 1.5 years ago when I started teaching high school math that I began to feel this way. Now that I have discovered discrete math I am even more excited. I think it is because it makes me feel smart." 2150 Discrete Structures, February 2000

"Here, I would like to tell you that I have taken twenty courses in Cal State Hayward and other colleges since last year. Of all the professors and instructors, you are the only one to do teaching evaluation survey by yourself in the middle of the quarter and one of the very few who have made me feel that they are really responsible and serious about their teaching. I am lucky to have you as my math professor. Thank you very much!" 2150 Discrete Structures, February 2000

From two students in my 1820 Math for Business and Social Sciences II course, Winter 2000.

From: CERTPM@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 16:21:50 EST
Subject: Re: 1820 - Section Wonderful
To: classes@seki.mcs.csuhayward.edu
CC: troby@seki.mcs.csuhayward.edu, 1820@seki.mcs.csuhayward.edu

Outstanding! I am almost afraid to write back because you may have made a mistake. However, I was waiting for the final grade so I could tell you some of my real thoughts about the course. I didn't want to influence you until after the grade.

Now for the bad news. No not really, it is all good. From day 1 when we saw your socks and you explained it to us, I think we all new we were in for a good course. You brought Professors down to earth. Your wit about Wisconsin, business "Bottom Line," and all the other little digs you threw out there were great. It helped make the course a lot of fun.

As for your teaching technique, I have not yet had a better teaching technique applied to me then the one you have. Your requirements to read the chapter and send the E-mail is brilliant. It really helped me to get involved and made a significant effect on my understanding when you lectured. As for your lectures, you have a gift of being able to bring the most difficult subject down to a very easily understood basic concept. You repeated this over and over (Lot's of Patience) until everyone who wanted to understood. This is another great thing about you. You want everyone to understand, and once more, I believe you want everyone to love math as much as you do (and it shows). It was nice to see early on, that I was not just going to get lectured, but I was also going to get taught.

Your portfolio requirement was also very effective. From the beginning, I was thinking about the categories and not just organizing a notebook, but organizing my thought process as it came to Calculus. Quizzes were great and helped extensively in the learning process. They were nice little confidence builders, that let us know often, just how we were doing. It was also wonderful for you to show your flexibility when we railroaded you into a "take Home Quiz." Sorry about that, but those were also very helpful in the learning process.

Just to let you know what others had to say. Your earlier quarter students, and you had some very smart ones, said you were excellent and very fair. They liked you and even more enjoyed you. For those of us who came to you after 1810, we all were so impressed. Many of us had Dr. Fowler who became ill after the first half of the quarter and was replaced by KAT. Dr. Fowler was a very good teacher and had a real passion for math as well. However, the interruption, and KAT, a young Math teacher coming in at half time, threw many of us for a loop. We were thrilled to see you and just hoped that you would last through the quarter. All of those who were with you during this course admired your technique and ability.

You have a great personality, some great travel and teaching experience. Stay with ethnic dancing, I think it gives you a release. I know you have a little daughter, what was that, 427 days old? They can be frustrating when the mid night oil is burned, but they are such a blessing as the years go on, mine is 15. I am guessing that you may have a Japanese wife. Maybe, oh well, she is lucky to have such a fun filled character as yourself for a husband.

Keep up your morale, and don't let "Administration" get you down. You are so much more valuable to the students when you are happy and yourself. Don't let them change you.

My efforts in the course were big. I didn't always do the best, but like on your midterm, that was a great learning opportunity. Please continue the Rewrite process. I really had a chance to catch up with my understanding. Being able to remember everything for the mid-term or final was hard for me, but I understood it well. There is just a lot of different areas and a lot of material to grasp. I don't know how students in Europe manage to take annual test, or even four year test. Must take a different type of studying.

Anyway, I got a lot out of Calculus 1820, and you are responsible. Continue your good work and I wish you and your family the very best. You will have a great career!

Highly respectfully yours,

Dave Jackson

PS: Thanks for your patience.

Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 17:08:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Melanie Anguay
Subject: Math 1820
To: troby@seki.mcs.csuhayward.edu

Professor Roby:

I'd like to thank you for a wonderful calculus course. I haven't taken a math class since 1995. I thought I was finished with math until I transfered to CSUH!!! Similar to most students, I was concerned with my lack of interest in the field of mathematics and initially thought there was no possible way I could have completed this course since so much time has passed since math and I had parted company. However, your method of teaching the course was amazing. Not only were the lectures interesting because you applied the concepts to real life situations but your sense of humor helped lighten the seriousness of the subject. Not to mention the weekly quizzes and biweekly emails which greatly assisted me in staying on schedule with your syllabus.

I'd also like to thank you for responding to my emails. Your quick response filled in the holes in my knowledge, especially before an exam.

Thank you again for being a great instructor.

Sincerely,
Melanie Anguay

From Senior Seminar (4901): "I would really like to take a class from Dr. Roby where he is teaching rather than facilitating--he is --excellent at explanations!"

"Wonderful enthusiasm. Great to be in the same room with Dr. Roby once he gets rolling."