Tyler Tallman

A “meticulous and detailed” professor and “incredibly devoted lecturer” was selected as the 2021 W.A. Gustafson Award winner.  

Tyler Tallman, an assistant professor, was chosen by AAE juniors and seniors for the annual award presented for excellence in teaching.

Tallman taught one course, AAE 204 Aeromechanics II, to undergraduates in Fall 2021. 

“Best AAE professor I have had yet at Purdue,” said one student who voted for Tallman for the award. “He is very good at explaining concepts, and his notes are extremely organized. I would take any course if he is teaching.”

In April 2021, Tallman was honored at the College level as the recipient of its “Early Career Teaching award,” given to an assistant professor who demonstrates superior ability in communicating the chosen material to the students and stimulates their desire to master the material. The Gustafson Award is the second undergraduate teaching honor from AAE students for Tallman, who was selected as the Elmer F. Bruhn Award winner in 2016.

"I'm incredibly flattered to receive this award,” said Tallman, who joined the AAE faculty in 2015. "Teaching the amazing students of this department is a genuine privilege."

Tallman constantly strives to improve and innovate his teaching. To that end, he has compiled and disseminated expansive lecture notes, revamped the curricula in all of his courses and integrated in-class experiments to demonstrate key concepts.

“He does an exceedingly good job at explaining topics in depth and having materials prepared for class so that his lectures are always very smooth,” one student said. “He is always well prepared and clearly demonstrates a passion for his field.”

Winthrop “Gus” Gustafson was a faculty member in AAE from 1960-98 and served as associate head and undergraduate counselor from 1981-98.

The other top vote-getters for the award in 2021 were Joseph Jewell, William Crossley and Sergey Macheret. The past two Gustafson winners (Karen Marais and Vikas Tomar) were not eligible for selection in 2021.