The book, on permanent display in the west foyer of the Purdue Memorial Union, bears the names of 467 faculty members, past and present, who have devoted their lives to excellence in teaching and scholarship. Dr. Blatchley and Dr. Hua were chosen by their students and their peers as Purdue's finest educators. 

The nomination for inclusion in this book is repeated every five years. The most recent Induction Ceremony, conducted as part of the Celebration of Teaching Excellence took place on September 26, 2023.

Provost Patrick Wolfe (center) stands with Purdue instructors, including Inez Hua (far left) as they are inducted into the Book of Great Teachers on September 26, 2023. 

"Having grown up in West Lafayette and received my BS in civil engineering from Purdue, I had the privilege of knowing and being taught by many of the people whose names are included in the Book of Great Teachers. These are people who I have looked up to and admire; it is an honor to be listed with them. They are role models as instructors and more generally as people.  They and others have shaped my perspectives on teaching and they continue to influence the teaching methods I use, both inside and outside the classroom," says Chip Blatchley, Lee A. Rieth Professor in Environmental Engineering, Lyles School of Civil Engineering and environmental and ecological engineering.

Automatically included in the Book of Great Teachers are professors with 10 years of service to the university who previously have been honored with the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. Other inductees have at least 15 years of service to the university and were nominated by students, alumni and colleagues.

Inez Hua (right), professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering, is recognized by Provost Patrick Wolfe (left) for her induction into Purdue's Great Book of Teachers. 

Purdue Provost Patrick Wolfe presented the awards and gave closing remarks. He spoke about the many ways teaching contributes to Purdue’s land-grant mission. Wolfe also said that helping students succeed is one of the great joys of the teaching profession.

“Teaching is such an impactful role,” he said. “When you help people think in structured ways, when you make that expertise available more broadly, it will have a rippling effect throughout students’ lives, within their communities, and across the state and world.”

In recognition of this achievement, Dr. Blatchley and Dr. Hua have been added to the bronze-and-walnut wall display in the Union, joining 467 of Purdue's most respected educators.  
 

Writer:  Andrea Mattingly

Contributor:  Jessica Mehr

Sources:  Chip Blatchley, Inez Hua, Patrick Wolfe