Matt Boelkins
Select Student Evaluations

The absolute best professor that I have ever had at GVSU.  It was a tough class, but it was so worth it. If you put in the effort that is required of this class, you will feel very rewarded. He makes sure that you understand the material and cares about your success in the class.

Math 210
RateMyProfessors.com, December 2007

I don't feel like I'm exaggerating when I say he's one of GVSU's finest profs.  His class is difficult, but fair, and you will learn the material VERY well. He also makes class worth attending with his dynamic teaching style, and even has pre-typed notes to fill in. He cares a lot about his students too, and motivates them to do their best.

Math 203
RateMyProfessors.com, August 2007

Dr. Boelkins was a tremendous instructor who made me realize that I do enjoy math and it is not impossible to do well in calculus.

Math 201A, Spring 2007
Anonymous course evaluation

Even though I hated them, the problems of the week were good to bring ideas together and they are a good study tool.  I always had a better understanding of the subjects after I was done.

Math 201A, Spring 2007
Anonymous course evaluation

Professor Boelkins was an excellent teacher.  I was never uninterested in class discussion and I am a fan of keeping class discussion moving on by just calling on people for answers.  It makes the students pay attention.  The exams were fair and the course was great!

Math 201A, Spring 2007
Anonymous course evaluation

He was very effective in motivating me to do the work.  Although he expected a lot from us, I did better in the course because of it.  He is very easy to listen to and understand.  He can make even the hardest of materials seem easier to grasp.

Math 202I, Winter 2007
Anonymous course evaluation

Honestly the best prof I have ever had.  Taught the course very well.  His preparation and effort he put into teaching made me willing to put in a comparable amount of work.  Used notes, handouts, and variety of colored markers very effectively to promote understanding.  He had the utmost respect for all students, there truly was no stupid question.  His enthusiasm made getting up at 8:30 not an impossible task.

Math 302A, Winter 2007
Anonymous course evaluation

Boelkins was extremely prepared and knowledgeable in what he taught.  His passion and understanding of math made it easy to pay attention, and to learn from him.  I think he teaches very clearly, and truly cares that his students understand and succeed.

Math 201B, Fall 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

He assigns too much work.  You had three to five things to do or study for at any given time.  If he assigned less, the I would've been able to focus more on the assignments themselves, rather than just racing to get them done.  I have four other classes also.  He wants to give students their money's worth, but my money's worth is getting an A and keeping my scholarship.

Math 203D, Fall 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

Without question the best professor I've ever had.  Never met a professor as genuinely interested in students well-being as he was.  Always willing to meet and help.  Responds quick to emails.  Very impressed.

Math 203D, Fall 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

This course was like climbing a really high mountain.  You may be rushing while you struggle to the top, but once you get there you realize it was worth it.  I enjoyed the journey.  The course was challenging enough to make me feel as though I accomplished something.

Math 327A, Spring 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

Dr. Boelkins not only knows how to do mathematics, he knows how to teach mathematics.  He gave meaning to concepts I never really understood from previous courses, and was instrumental in helping me gain a deep understanding of linear algebra.  He is also kind, enthusiastic, and I genuinely felt he wanted me to succeed.

Math 327A, Spring 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

He used very helpful handouts and clarified topics very well.  He used simple analogies to begin with and then complicated them as we progressed so that it wasn't too much to take in.

Math 302B, Winter 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

Was incredibly well prepared.  Any question I had he always had a clear answer and was able to explain it to me so that I could understand.  Showed exceptional knowledge of the material and was able to convey it very effectively, projects correlated with discussion topics nicely.

Math 302B, Winter 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

Dr. Boelkins is the most helpful, respectful, and friendly professor I have yet had.  Very clear teaching style.  Projects were straightforward and not busy work.

Math 302C, Winter 2006
Anonymous course evaluation

Dr. Boelkins is really worried about the students knowing the material, not what their grade is.  He will help you but makes you think.  He will not come out and give you an answer, he makes your wheels turn.

Math 203, Fall 2005
Anonymous course evaluation

Matt expects a lot and expects you to keep up and put a lot of time in after class.  He is a tough teacher but it helped me to become a stronger student.

Math 203, Fall 2005
Anonymous course evaluation

Strengths
This guy is great. He divides the grade into very fair areas. The Homework assignments are difficult, but they are really good. I learned a lot doing the homework. You need to go to his office hours for assistance with the homework. He is really helpful in his office hours. Class times are not really spent in lecture, but more like exploration. He gives you note sheets, which are really helpful. You need to go to class. There is no textbook, so you have nothing to reference if you are absent. The textbook may seem like a huge project (you have to write your own textbook) but if you keep up with it, its not so bad. Overall, this was a wonderful class. There were times when I just sat in my seat in awe of the stuff we were doing. For the first time in my mathematical experience I could say that mathematics was beautiful and really mean it. I agree with another's statement "If you can't learn math from Matt Boelkins, you can't learn math". He is THE BEST prof at GVSU.
Drawbacks
Be ready to work, and work hard. If you don't want to learn anything, don't take Matt.

Math 341, Fall 2005
pickaprof.com  

Professor Boelkins asks the right questions to motivate student thinking rather than just giving an answer.  He encourages students to think about and arrive at an answer on their own which makes the process of learning even more enriching.

Math 341, Fall 2005
Anonymous course evaluation

great professor. always there to help with any questions and actually wanted students to not only get the material but understand why it works. made it very clear how grading works and what is expected on exams and the final. if you can't learn math from matt you're not going to learn it anywhere.  

Math 122, Summer 2005
RateMyProfessors.com, August 2005

Matt is definitely the most helpful professor I've ever had. His class does require a lot of work, but you'll learn much more in the end. Don't take him if you're looking for an easy A. 

Math 210, Winter 2004
RateMyProfessors.com, March 2004

Be ready to work, but he sets you up for success. Know that no matter how hard you work on this course, he works even harder. 

Math 210, Winter 2004
RateMyProfessors.com, March 2004

I would take him for every math class if I could. He requires a lot of work, but he is always there until you understand it. If he seems to show favoritism it is to those who are there to learn and take the class seriously. 

Math 201, 210, 341
RateMyProfessors.com, February 2005

Great instructor.  One of the best GVSU has.  Definitely has a passion for math and educating.  Did a very good job of making class interesting every day.  I learned the material very well.  

Math 341, Winter 2004
Anonymous course evaluation

Mr. Boelkins was always willing to give extra help to students who needed it.  He has sacrificed a large amount of time to ensure that each student is reaching their full potential.  His enthusiasm for the subject made it enjoyable for me to learn, and I really appreciate his avid dedication.

Math 210, Winter 2004
Anonymous course evaluation

He made the class enjoyable.  I actually liked coming to class, which is something that did not happen in a few of my math classes.  Matt motivated me to do the best work possible.  I liked the reading assignments because they kept me on task and I knew what I was supposed to get out of the reading.  I also liked the fact that he forced everyone to participate.  I never speak in class, and Matt made me feel comfortable talking in this one.  

Math 495, Fall 2003
Anonymous course evaluation

If you cannot learn mathematics from Matt Boelkins, you cannot learn mathematics.

Math 210, 405, 496
RateMyProfessors.com, January 2005