Howdy!

I heard the unfortunate news that Professor Michael Ringham will no longer teach in the Texas A&M University Visualization program due to the elimination of faculties/staff position. As a student who has been TA-ing his classes and knows how great the teacher he is, this is very disappointing.

Professor Ringham is a wonderful teacher who always teaches the materials from the student’s perspective. Those of you who took or TA-ed his class would know that his class is a great bridge from an entry-level of programming skill to proficient one. Many visualization majors are ready to learn from more of a technical class, so it is vital we continue to keep Professor Ringham. I personally have learned a lot by assisting his VIST 270 and 271 and would like for other TA’s also have an opportunity to do so as well. When Covid started, he was worried about the students who will not get sufficient information due to the new teaching environment. Due to this he came up with the idea of a program development video to explain the concepts and how to do them in a step-by-step with detailed explanations. A lot of students loved this idea and it help TAs to understand the material better so we could teach more effectively. This shows Professor Ringham’s personal responsibility and care for his students and the department and this should continue.

For those who are not familiar with Professor Ringham, he is the first Viz student at Texas A&M and his first animation in 1986 was used in the proposal for the VIZ program. Today, he has been teaching in the Texas A&M Visualization program for 21 years since 2000 because of his special attachment to the program. As a founding member and as a caring professor it is vital, we keep him as he has great experience to share.

It is very heartbreaking and unfortunate news as a student that we will lose a terrific teacher like Ringham. If you would like to have Professor Ringham stays in the program and please help so in doing by signing below. Thank you for your help and consideration!