Faculty


Ron Smith
Professor of Mathematics
Department Chair

Phone: 501-279-5597
rgsmith@harding.edu
Ph.D., University of Tennessee
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

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)

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

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

James Burk
Associate Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-4704
jlburk@harding.edu
Ph.D., Washington State University
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

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.

Jill Davis
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-5596
jdavis8@harding.edu
M.S., University of Arkansas
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

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

Deborah Duke
Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-4507
dduke@harding.edu
Ed.D., Memphis State University
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

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

Jason Holland
Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-4516
jholland5@harding.edu
Ph.D., University of Mississippi
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Partially ordered vector spaces, Boolean Algebras, mentoring undergraduate research

Marty Spears
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Provost/Chief Academic Officer

Phone: 501-279-4335
mspears@harding.edu
Ph.D., Rice University
HU Box 10773

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EDUCATION:

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

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

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Travis Thompson
Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-4464
thompson@harding.edu
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
HU Box 10934

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP/ACTIVITIES:

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)

Laurie Walker
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Phone: 501-279-5283
lwalker3@harding.edu
M.S., Florida Institute Technology
HU Box 10764

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EDUCATION:

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

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

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

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

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Contact Us

Mathematics Department is part of the College of Arts & Sciences

501-279-4361

math@harding.edu