Mathematics Faculty

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Ron Smith

Professor of Mathematics
Department Chair

About Ron Smith

Degrees

Ph.D. Mathematics Education, University of Tennessee, 2010
M.S. Secondary Administration, Harding University, 1996
B.A. Mathematics, Harding University, 1990

Research

The use of secondary mathematics methods courses to teach content, pedagogy and beliefs to preservice teachers.

Memberships

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE)
Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ACTM)
Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Department Chair, Harding University, 2013-Present
Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2023-Present
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2013-2023
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2007-2013
Mathematics Instructor, Bloom Carroll High School, Carroll, OH 2003-25
Process Control Engineer, ABB, Columbus, OH 1998-2003
Mathematics Instructor, Cabot High School, Cabot, AR 1993-98
Mathematics Instructor & Basketball Coach, Incrilik High School, Incirlik, Turkey, 1991-93
Mathematics Instructor, Jacksonville Junior High South, Jacksonville, AR, 1990-91 

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:

Arkansas Mathematics Secondary Teaching Certification
Headshot of James Burk

James Burk

Associate Professor of Mathematics

About James Burk

Degrees

Ph.D. Mathematics, Washington State University, 2012
M.S. Mathematics, West Texas A&M, 2004
B.A. Mathematics, Harding University, 2004
B.A. History, Harding University, 2004

Research

Linear algebra and with an emphasis towards nonnegative matrix theory. In addition to discrete mathematics and spectral graph theory. I am also actively involved in exploring pedagogical avenues for integrating faith-and-reason into the math curriculum.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2014-Present
Visiting Lecturer, Carroll University, 2013-2014
Visiting Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University, 2007-2012
Teaching Assistant, Washington State University, 2007-2012
Teaching Assistant, West Texas A&M, 2004-2007

 

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Jill Davis

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

About Jill Davis

Degrees

M.S. General Mathematics, University of Arkansas, 1992
B.A. Mathematics Education, Harding University, 1990

Research

The Lighter Side of Mathematics: Interesting Numbers, Seminar 2018
Absolute Value Inequalities and Related Graphs, Mathematics Teacher May 2015

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2012-Present
Instructor, Harding University, 2004-2012
Sponsor/Instructor, Harding University Scholars Abroad, 2008-2013
Adjunct Instructor, Harding University, 1995-2004
Adjunct Instructor, Northwest Arkansas Community College, 1992-1994
Junior High Math Teacher, Elmwood Middle School, 1992-1993
Instructor, University of Arkansas, 1990-1992

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Deborah Duke

Professor of Mathematics

About Deborah Duke

Degrees

Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Mathematics Education, Memphis State University, 1992 Dissertation: "Parental Expectation and its Relationship to Achievement in Algebra I"
M.S.E., Mathematics, Harding University, 1985. Thesis: "A Study of Mathematics Anxiety Among Quantitative Business Analysis Students"
B.S., Mathematics, Harding College, 1972

Memberships

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Reviewer for The Mathematics Teacher
Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Mathematical Association of America
Alpha Chi
Phi Kappa Phi
Associated Women for Harding

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Teaching
Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2006-Present
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 1996-2006
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 1991-96
Instructor of Mathematics, Harding University, 1982-90
Mathematics Teacher, Harding Academy, 1988-89
Mathematics and Science Teacher, Bradford High School, Bradford, Arkansas, 1973-74
Graduate Assistant in Mathematics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1972

Administrative
Assistant Dean for Preprofessional Programs, 2011-Present
Coons Endowed Chair in Biomedical Sciences, 2000-2005
Chair, Health Sciences Committee, Pre-med Advisor
Administrative Council for Teacher Education
Institutional Review Board, Secretary

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Jason Holland

Professor of Mathematics

About Jason Holland

Degrees

Ph.D. Mathematics, University of Mississippi, 1998
M.S. Mathematics, Arkansas State University, 1993
B.S. Mathematics, University of Central Arkansas, 1989

Research

Partially ordered vector spaces, Boolean Algebras, mentoring undergraduate research

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2015-Present
Professor of Mathematics, Abilene Christian University, 2011-2015
Associate Professor Mathematics, Abilene Christian University, 2003-2011
Associate Professor/Department Chair, Oklahoma Christian University, 2000-2003
Assistant Professor, Abilene Christian University, 1998-2000
High School Math Teacher, Hughes High School, 1989-1993

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Marty Spears

Associate Professor of Mathematics
Provost/Chief Academic Officer

About Marty Spears

Degrees

Ph.D. Statistics, Rice University, 1993
M.S. Statistics, Rice University, 1992
B.S. Mathematics , Harding University, 1988

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Provost, Harding University, 2016-Present
Associate Provost, Harding University, 2011-2016
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Harding University, 2006-2011
Associate Professor Mathematics, Harding University, 2000-Present

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Travis Thompson

Professor of Mathematics

About Travis Thompson

Degrees

Ph.D. Mathematics, University of Arkansas, 1977
M.S. Mathematics, Northeast Louisiana University, 1973
B.A. Mathematics, Harding University, 1971
Post-Graduate, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1982-83
17 Hours of Graduate Level Statistics

Memberships

Mathematical Association of America, 1975-Present
American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC), 1978-Present
Louisiana Executive Vice President of the LA-MS section of the MAA, 1984-85
Reviewer (referee) for the AMATYC Review (1980-82, 1987-1993)
Editorial Board Member for the AMATYC Review (1988-1991)
Arkansas Delegate to the AMATYC (1988-1990, 1992-1995)
National Chairperson, AMATYC meeting in Little Rock, AR (1995)

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Teaching
Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 1990-Present
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 1985-90
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Northeast Louisiana University, 1983-85
Assistant Lecturer, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1982-83
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, LSU at Eunice, 1980-82
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, 1979-80
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Michigan Christian College, 1977-79
Graduate Assistant in Mathematics, University of Arkansas, 1973-77
Graduate Assistant in Mathematics, Northeast Louisiana University, 1971-73

Administrative
Dean, College of Sciences, Harding University, 2002-2019
Assistant to the Dean, College of Sciences, Harding University, 1987-2002
Director of AEGIS Program, "Artificial Intelligence", 1990-2001
Director of AEGIS Program, "Arkansas - An Abundance of Energy", 1986
Director of MTGS 1988, "Mathematics Teachers of Gifted Students", TITLE II
Title III Coordinator, 1987-90

Headshot of Laurie Walker

Laurie Walker

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

About Laurie Walker

Degrees

M.S. Applied Mathematics, Florida Institute of Technology, 1992
B.A. Mathematics, Harding University, 1987

Memberships

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harding University, 2014-Present
Instructor, Harding University, 2006-2014
Instructor, Georgia Perimeter College, 1994-1995
Adjunct Faculty, Clayton State University, 1993-1994
Instructor, Brevard Community College, 1992-1993
Graduate Assistant, Florida Institute of Technology, 1990-1992
Teacher, Mars Hill Bible School, 1988-1990
Teacher, Harding Academy, 1987-1988

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