Stephen Baber, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics and Acting Director of Academic Software Harmon Brown, Ph.D. - Professor of Mathematics Deborah Duke, M.S.E. - Associate Instructor of Math Scott Ragsdale, B.B.A. - Associate Instructor of Mathematics Stephen Smith, Ph.D. - Professor of Mathematics and Chairman of the Math Department Travis Thompson, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Mathematics Don Yates, B.A. - Visiting LeeScience 1 04Math & Computers 0 Academic Departments uters ome exciting events as well as faculty and student achievements evolved from the Math and Computer Department. Most importantly, Harding received the Title III Grant, which made available funding for computers to be used by the administration. Also, in the area of student achievement, Harding's computer programming team won first place out of 22 teams competing on the undergraduate level. The contest was held in Lafayette, LA. Tim Baird continued working full time on his doctorate degree at the University of Missouri at Rolla and was expected to join the staff again in May. Dr. Stephen Baber served as associate professor of computer science and mathematics as well as acting director of academic software. Dr. Harmon Brown , professor of mathematics, served also as regional director and state host for the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Approximately 7,000 high school students from the state participated in a math contest held each spring on nine different college campuses across the state. Dr. Brown wrote the two Algebra II exams for the state competition for the mathematics contest. Dr. Brown was also assistant chairman for NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) during the spring of 1987. He arranged for 150 speakers to attend the meeting. O~er 2,500 high school mathematics teachers from nine states attended the meeting at the Excelsior Hotel in LitListen up! Dr. Dean B. Priest, Dean of the College ofArts and Sciences, speaks at Camp Tahkodah. - photo by Dr. Joseph Pryor. Hmmmmm ... Mr. Don 11ltes, Assistant Professor ofMathematics converses with Dr. Don England between sessions at Camp Tahkodah. Mr. 11ltes was new on the staff, and proved himself well. - photo by Dr. Joseph Pryor. tie Rock. Alva Gene Dugger was an associate professor of computer science and mathematics as well as director of academic computing. Mrs. Deborah Duke had an article pertaining to mathematics anxiety published in the AMATYC Review last year. Randy Maddox continued his work toward a Ph.D. degree in mathematics at the University of Mississippi. He was expected to complete his work and be back on staff by fall. John Nunnally, who has been with the department since 1975, acted as assistant professor of computer science and mathematics and director of administrative computing. Bill Oldham, professor of mathematics and director of mathematics education, began a student club called Mathematics Education Careers Associated (MECA) in 1986. The club continued to grow and be successful. The club hosted a reunion for mathematics education alumni during Homecoming. Dr. Dean Priest, distinguished professor of mathematics, served throughout the year as chairman of the computer committee and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. He gave a speech on Careerism versus Intellectualism in Orlando, FL, in October. Priest also attended a faculty development seminar in Burmingham, AL, in January. Scott Ragsdale, associate instructor of mathematics and computer science, worked on his masters degree part-time at Harding during the year. Ragsdale worked at Delta Computers before joining the Harding faculty in 1985. He will be working with the football team in the fall, as well as teaching. Dr. Steve Smith, professor of mathematics and chairman of the department, was appointed head baseball coach. He was expected to assume the position in the fall ?f 1988. Dr. Smith planned to remam chairman of the department, but only teach part-time. Dr. Travis Thompson, professor of mathematics and computer science, was appointed administrative assistant, and promoted to Title III coordinator of the Title III Grant program, which began in October. Dr. Thompson wrote a proposal for the Arkansas Academic Enrichment of the Gifted and Talented in Summer (AEGIS) program on 'Mathematical Modeling - Solutions to Real World Problems." "This proposal was funded and taught this summer by members of our department " said Dr. Dean Priest. The $6,000 project was for gifted and talented high school students. Don Yates, teacher of systems analysis and design plus some lower level classes, was a visiting professor of computing. After 25 years of experience with IBM, Yates began teaching in the fall. He had written articles for Parents magazine. He was an "outstanding teacher and students responded well to him," according to Dr. Priest. All department members were involved in local churches, and several faculty members were involved in civic organizations as well. Dr. Oldham preached regularly. Dr. Priest, Dr. Brown, Dr. Smith, and Mr. Ragsdale served as deacons in the church. - Janna Wharton and Karen Reynolds
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