from left to right: Milind Kulkarni, Michael and Katherine Birck Head and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michael Zoltowski, and Bill Oakes, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and 150th Anniversary Professor of Engineering Education

Michael Zoltowski, the Thomas J. and Wendy Engibous Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has received the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, Purdue’s highest honor for undergraduate teaching.

The Murphy Award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in undergraduate education, both in the classroom and through advising and mentoring. Recipients are recognized for communicating challenging material clearly, inspiring students to master it, and supporting them beyond the classroom.

Zoltowski is widely respected for his long-standing commitment to teaching and mentoring Purdue students. Over the course of his career, he has helped generations of undergraduate students build a strong foundation in electrical and computer engineering while encouraging them to think deeply, solve problems with confidence and connect what they learn in class to real-world applications.

“Professor Zoltowski has had an extraordinary impact on Purdue ECE students through his teaching, mentorship and dedication to their success,” said Milind Kulkarni, the Michael and Katherine Birck Head and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “He brings both depth of knowledge and genuine care for students to everything he does. This recognition is a fitting honor for a faculty member who has shaped the educational experience of so many Boilermakers.”

Known for making complex engineering concepts more approachable, Zoltowski has built a reputation as a teacher who not only challenges students, but also helps them see what they are capable of achieving. His influence has extended well beyond lectures, reaching students through advising, encouragement and a lasting commitment to undergraduate education.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Murphy Award,” Zoltowski said. “Teaching Purdue students has been one of the great privileges of my career. Our undergraduates are bright, hardworking and full of potential, and it has always been important to me to help them build both the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.”

For Purdue ECE, Zoltowski’s recognition highlights the school’s commitment to teaching excellence and to faculty members who make a lasting difference in students’ lives.