Outstanding Instructor

Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has not only transformed one of its students, but it also has been transformed by the work and commitment of a college alumnus and faculty member Craig M. Baudendistel.

Baudendistel, director of engineering mathematics and an instructor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, has been part of the Wright State community since his undergraduate years.

Craig M. Baudendistel

“I have personally witnessed the development of his tremendous gift for teaching — the ability to meet his students exactly where they are, regardless of their background, preparation or intended engineering major,” said Nathan W. Klingbeil, dean of the college and Baudendistel’s instructor, mentor and advisor during his undergraduate and graduate years at Wright State.

Since joining the faculty, Baudendistel has assisted in the development of an online engineering course that can facilitate a co-instruction implementation at virtually any high school in Ohio.

He has received teaching requests from many students and has earned high student rankings, earning a cumulative student evaluation rank of 4.9 out of 5.

“Students consistently submit comments like ‘Dr. B is the best professor I’ve had in any class ever,’ along with numerous requests to ‘teach more classes,’” said George Huang, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

Baudendistel has been a faculty mentor for many local high schools. He also teaches in Wright State’s Academic Advantage Program, helping to remediate the mathematics skills of incoming freshmen during the summer.

“It is clear that Dr. Baudendistel is a superb teacher, mentor and asset to CECS,” said Huang.