Professor Jeno Szep as an educator and game theorist

摘要

I begin with a personal note that reaches back in the early sixties. I was a freshman at the University of Economics majoring in applied mathematics in economics and business. We students knew that the university had been in search of a senior mathematician to head the Department of Mathematics. Soon we learned that the position was filled and a young professor from Szeged was appointed for the job. It was JenS Szep, whose reputation had already been established as an outstanding researcher in algebra and a demanding, charismatic teacher. The first course he taught us was not algebra but calculus. We were impressed by his teaching style which meant no notes, no books to help even when presenting such involved proofs as that of Brouwer's fixed point theorem. There was no need for us to study at home because by working through the proofs with him, he at the board and we over our notebooks, at a pace comfortable for everybody, we understood not only the details but the underlying ideas as well. Then came the exams. Legend had it that he had been very tough and uncompromising at exams in Szeged where he had taught before. No one wanted to go first, we were pushing each other towards the door of his office. Finally I took a deep breath and went in first. Then it was not as tough as expected. After a fairly good written test he asked only two short proofs which I presented in a trembling voice and soon I was out with an A. His signature with this mark in my exam book has been one of my most cherished memorabilia. Another lesson to be learned is that rumors must always be taken with a grain of salt. In addition, this was the last time when I had a little chill in my blood when meeting Professor Szep.