Professor receives national award

The Association for Computing Machinery, a worldwide computing science society, has recognized computer science professor Paul W. Purdom Jr. with the honor of “Distinguished Scientist” for his research in the field of the analysis of algorithms.

Purdom, who shares the award with 26 other professionals around the world, was nominated last year by computer science professor and colleague David S. Wise, who said he thought Purdom met all of the criteria.

“He has impacted the department in ways that are not well-appreciated,” Wise said. “He has always been an advocate and spokesman for the standards of research and teaching through the years.”

The annual award recognizes individual contributions to the practical and theoretical aspects of computing technology, according to an Association for Computing Machinery press release published Feb. 5.

Purdom came to the University in 1971 after a former student of his who he taught at the University of Wisconsin encouraged him to join the faculty, he said. Back then, IU had not even established a computer science program.

But in his 38 years as a professor here, Purdom has done extensive research in the field of algorithm analysis, even publishing his own book in 1995 titled “The Analysis of Algorithms.”

The book, Wise said, is something largely under-recognized for what it is.

“There are competing books for the education market,” Wise said. “But his, rather than being a book about algorithms, is about the techniques to analyze them, so ironically, what shows out is the technique, not the algorithms.”

Purdom said the study of algorithm analysis is primarily concerned with the general problem of figuring out how long a computer will take to solve more complex problems.

“Computers can solve many problems very rapidly, but others take longer,” he said. “And if they take a long time, you get interested in just how long.”

Christopher Cole, a second-year graduate student in computer science currently in his second class with Purdom, said Purdom has an excellent way of making his students think outside the box when dealing with complex problems.

“He tries to teach you how to think in a different way so you can find a solution to a problem by yourself,” Cole said.

As a graduate student, Cole said his interests are primarily in the analysis of algorithms as well, and thus looks forward to continuing his work with Purdom.

“One of the good things about having him as a professor is just that he’s smart,” he said. “Even if he can’t solve a problem, he has a good idea of finding a solution.”

Wise said it is exactly those qualities that made him decide to nominate Purdom in the first place. And although he said he has never worked alongside Purdom in his research, he said Purdom’s dedication to the standards of teaching and research were evident through his work for the department.

“He’s earned it,” he said, “and by that, he becomes a standard for young folks to aspire to.”