[ COVER ]

Engineering Class of '44 Award for Outstanding Teaching

Rabi Baliga

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Many wonderful influences have shaped my life. My parents put top priority on a well-rounded education for their children, and they taught me, by example, the importance of courtesy, tolerance, forgiveness, respect, integrity, generosity, spirituality and industriousness. I have been inspired and helped by many other people: my sisters and bother-in-law, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, close friends, several colleagues and persons from all walks of life. The teachers I admired most always led from the front, and they loved the subjects they taught, their students and life. It is a great privilege to be an educator. I strive to help my students to think critically and creatively, experience the joys of engineering, derive inspiration from nature, laugh and become self-confident professionals. I have also learned a lot from my students -- I love you all and thank you very much.