God and the Math Professor

My memories from my college are a bit faded.  Large lecture halls, small discussion rooms, dreaded tests, blue exam books, …blurry… I vaguely remember my math professor. Why did I enroll in this course?  Simple, I had to take this course in order to graduate.  

My memories from high school geometry are more vivid.  Of course, Mr. Chastain, my geometry teacher was unforgettable.  Mr. Chastain’s dry sense of humor was often directed at his students. I have a few  memories that are lodged in my brain.  Other concepts from those classes are more difficult to retrieve; I simply don’t use many of the concepts.   Once I met the requirements for high school or college gradation requirements, I sighed with relief.  No more math tests!  

Now, years later, I have a dear prayer partner who is an assistant math professor at the University of Kentucky.  Our friendship began as a result of a small group Bible study from our church.  Young, attractive, and articulate, Christa is gifted professor.   Christa shared the topic of her doctorial dissertation, “A Study of Elementary Mathematics Teachers’ Knowledge of Equity” During the course of her career, Christa will have the opportunity to teach, train, mold, and encourage the next generation of elementary and secondary math teachers. Why teach math?  She said, "  While others encouraged her to go into medicine or other careers, she said, "I have always wanted to teach math." This is Dr. Jackson's calling...teaching. 

Who likes math? Last night, I enjoyed dinner with a group of young men and women, that love math.  Growing up they enjoyed and excelled in their math and science.  As engineers, they love numbers and the real life application they have in their daily professions.   As members of NSBE, * ( National Society of Black Engineers) the group works with middle school and high school student to introduce them to the possibilities of engineering as a career.  I discovered more about Chemical Engineers that I wanted to know… They probably enjoyed their math classes in college. 

So why did I title this post, God and the math professor?   I was thinking about the hundreds of students that Dr. Stephens touched as the Head of the Math Department at Anderson University. I know the students of Dr. Stephens will have found memories of their professor.    As Stan and Christie begin the next chapter of their lives,  I hope the Math Professor and the Poet will have time to visit Lexington.  

Last night's after dinner picture with some of the NSBE group

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