Pikeville College - Faculty & Staff - Division of Mathematics & Natural Sciences

Pikeville College faculty for the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences which includes biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics.

 
 

Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty

Robert W. Arts Mark W. Bolt John J. Cade Robert Chamblin
Harold S. Chittum Bernadine D. Cochran Howard V. Francis Thomas R. Hess
Michael Holcomb Mary Beth Webb Clare C. Whittaker Joseph C. Whittaker 
 

Robert W. Arts

Robert W. Arts

Chair, Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Professor of Education and Physics

Office: Armington 307
Telephone: 606.218.5476
E-mail: rarts@pc.edu

Personal Web space

Classes taught

Engineering Physics
General Physics I & II
Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
Introduction to Physics
Miscellaneous Special Topics Courses
Modern Physics
Science in the Elementary School and the Middle School

Education

Ph.D. in Education
    Capella University
Master of Science in Physics
    University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Science in Physics
    Ohio University

Awards

Best Science Presentation Award, Appalachian College Association Technology Summit, 1998
Best Presentation Award, Technology in Teaching Conference, 1998
Highest Speaker Evaluation Award, Pike County Schools Regional Title I Conference, 1997

Personal

Dr. Arts is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, but has called Pikeville, Ky., and Pikeville College home for the past 15 years. He also ran the College’s Math-Science Resource Center for 12 years and currently serves as director for the College’s Science and Math Day Camp and co-director for the Regional Science Olympiad hosted each March at the College. He enjoys photography, hiking, snow skiing and travel with his wife Shannon.


Mark W. Bolt

Mark W. Bolt

Associate Professor of Biology

Office: Armington 104
Telephone: 606.218.5462
E-mail: mbolt@pc.edu

Classes taught

Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Developmental Biology
General Physiology
Genetics
Neurobiology

Education

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
    University of Missouri-Columbia
B.S. in Biology
    Alma College

Personal

Dr. Bolt is originally from Michigan. After graduate school, he taught in Northern Ohio for four years before accepting a position at Rivier College in New Hampshire where he taught for seven years. He is the advisor to the Biology Club at Pikeville, which includes the Pi Zeta chapter of Beta-Beta-Beta the National Honor Society for the Biological Sciences. His research interests include using Drosophila as a model organism in explorations of tumor suppression.


John J. Cade

John J. Cade

Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science

Office: Armington 204
Telephone: 606.218.5473
E-mail: jcade@pc.edu

Personal Web space

Classes taught

College Algebra
Precalculus
Calculus I, II
Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
Advanced Geometry
Computer Literacy
BASIC
Data Structures
Analysis of Algorithms
Principles of Programming Languages
Operating Systems
Parallel Programming

Education

Graduate
    Institute for Retraining in Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
    University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Master of Science in Mathematics
    University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Master of Science in Mathematics
    California State College at Fullerton
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
    Iowa State University

Awards

William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Award, Second Place, Pikeville College, 2006

Personal

Dr. Cade was born and raised in Massachusetts.  He came to Pikeville College in the fall of 1987.  He lives with his wife Nancy, four cats, and a dog.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading mystery novels, working KenKen, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles, and "studying" computer games. 

Robert Chamblin

Robert Chamblin

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Office: Armington 207
Telephone: 606.218.5478
E-mail: rchambli@pc.edu

Classes taught

Algebra for College Students
Beginning Algebra
Calculus I, II and III
Geometry
Precalculus
Statistics
Trigonometry

Education

Master of Science in Mathematics
    Wright State University
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
    Rio Grande University
Associate of Science
    Southern State Community College

Personal

Robert Chamblin grew up in southern Ohio in a region much flatter, topographically, than Pikeville. Before joining the Pikeville College family, he taught mathematics at Miami University in Ohio for four years. He has a variety of interests, including reading fantasy novels, wandering places and napping.


Harold Chittum

Harold S. Chittum

Associate Professor of Biology

Office: Armington 107
Telephone: 606.218.5468
E-mail: hchittum@pc.edu

Classes taught

Biochemistry
Clinical Microbiology
Genetics Immunology
Introduction to Chemistry
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology of the Cell
Principles of Biology

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow
    National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Basic Sciences Laboratory
Postdoctoral Fellow
    Vanderbilt University, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Biochemistry Concentration)
    East Tennessee State University
Master of Science in Biology
    East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science in Biology
    East Tennessee State University

Personal

Dr. Chittum is a native of Tazewell, Tenn. He spent most of his life in Tennessee before moving to Pippa Passes, Ky., in 1998 where he taught biology at Alice Lloyd College for two years. In 2000, he moved to Pikeville where he continues to teach biology at Pikeville College.


Bernadine D. Cochran

Bernadine D. Cochran

Associate Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science

Office: Armington 304
Telephone: 606.218.5463
E-mail: bcochran@pc.edu

Personal Web space

Classes taught

Algebra for College Students
Calculus I
College Algebra
Computer Literacy
Elementary Algebra
Elementary Probability and Statistics
Intermediate Algebra
Intermediate Computers
Precalculus Algebra
Visual Basic

Education

Master of Science in Mathematics
    East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
    University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Additional graduate level courses
    Instructional Technology in Education
        Old Dominion University
    Twelve graduate level CIS hours
        Morehead State University
    Six additional graduate level CSCI hours
        East Tennessee State University

Other

Faculty advisor for Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Zeta, National Mathematics and Science Honor Society
State of Virginia Collegiate Professional Teaching License

Personal

Ms. Cochran has lived in Buchanan County, Va., all of her life. She worked for several years at a bank before returning to college full time. She joined Pikeville College in 1997 after attaining her master’s degree. She enjoys RV camping and riding motorcycles with her husband, Gary, and spending time with daughter Brandy and granddaughter Natalie Paige.


Howard V. Francis

Howard V. Francis

Associate Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science

Office: Armington 209
Telephone: 606.218.5465
E-mail: francis@pc.edu

Classes taught

Calculus
College Algebra
Developmental Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
Introduction to Computer Science
Machine Organization
Object-Oriented Programming
Trigonometry

Education

Graduate Studies in Computer Science
    Binghamton University
    North Carolina State University
    Ball State University
Master of Arts in Mathematics
    Indiana University
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
    Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
    Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Awards

William Wade and Helen Record Walker Award for Teaching Excellence, Pikeville College, 2005

Personal

Mr. Francis was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs before going to college in the state of Indiana. He came to Pikeville in 1990, after completing his master's degree in Mathematics. Shortly after arriving, he started teaching computer science as well. Outside of class he enjoy playing music as a trumpeter, organist and singer.


Thomas R. Hess

Thomas R. Hess

Professor of Chemistry
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dean of the College

Office: Academic Affairs Office (ADM Lower Level)
Telephone: 606.218.5475
E-mail: thess@pc.edu

Classes taught

Advanced Spectroscopy
General Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Instrumental Analysis
Introductory Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Quantitative Analysis
Seminar in Chemistry

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
    Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics
    Centre College

Awards

William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Award, Pikeville College, 2000
Visiting Research Associate, Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin, Germany, 1994

Personal

Dr. Hess grew up in Louisville, Ky., and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Physics from Centre College. He went to graduate school at Texas A&M where he studied surface oxidation behavior of transition metal amorphous alloys. After graduate school, Dr. Hess did stints as a research associate at Lamar University and Prairie View A&M University. In 1996, Dr. Hess joined the faculty of Pikeville College as an assistant professor of chemistry. In addition to teaching, Dr. Hess was chair of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for five years before being appointed vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the College in 2010. Dr. Hess enjoys skiing, travelling, ballroom dancing and playing with his dogs, cat and parakeet.


Michael Holcomb

Michael Holcomb

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Office: Armington 206
Telephone: 606.218.5474
E-mail: mholcomb@pc.edu

Classes taught

Abstract Algebra
Algebra for College Students
Calculus I, II and III
Complex Variables
Core Content Geometry
Differential Equations
History of Mathematics
Intermediate Algebra
Linear Algebra
Precalculus
Probability and Statistics
Trigonometry

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
    Louisiana State University
Master of Science in Mathematics
    Purdue University
Bachelor of Science with Honors in Mathematics
    Oklahoma State University

Personal

Dr. Holcomb is originally from Choctaw, Okla., and moved around to Big 12, Big 10 and SEC universities to get his three degrees. He was a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship in 1994 at Oklahoma State University and an Andrews Fellowship in 1996 at Purdue University. He taught for two years at Emory & Henry College before moving to Pikeville to begin teaching at Pikeville College in 2005. His hobbies include trivia and board games, listening to music, travel, jigsaw puzzles, dancing, coin collecting, and drawing posters to bring to Pikeville College athletic events to root on the teams. One interesting fact about Dr. Holcomb is that he has put together over 100,000 combined pieces of jigsaw puzzles in his life.


Mary Beth Webb

Mary Beth Webb

Associate Professor of Mathematics Education

Office: Armington 213A
Telephone: 606.218.5464
E-mail: ulrich@pc.edu

Classes taught

Beginning Algebra
Fundamentals on Mathematics
Introduction to Education
Mathematics in Middle and Elementary School I
Mathematics in Middle and Elementary School II
Middle School Curriculum
Principles and Practices of Classroom Management
Teaching Math and Science in the Elementary School
Teaching Math and Science in the Middle and Secondary Schools
Teaching Plane Geometry

Education

Doctor of Education
    Illinois State University
Master of Science in Education
    Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science in Education
    Illinois State University

Activities at Pikeville College

Coordinator of Math AMSP program
Executive Committee
Spiritual Life Committee
Teacher Education Committee

Personal

Dr. Webb is a native of La Salle, Ill. She spent 10 years teaching in K-12 schools before going to Illinois State University for graduate studies. She has taught developmental mathematics classes as well as math education classes for the education department at Pikeville for 18 years. She enjoys walking with her husband John as well as doing embroidery in her free time.


Clare C. Whittaker

Clare C. Whittaker

Assistant Professor of Biology

Office: -
Telephone: 606.218.5470
E-mail: cwhittak@pc.edu

Personal Web space

Classes taught

Animal Behavior
Botany
Introduction to Biology
Introduction to Biology Lab
Invertebrate Zoology
Lab Internship in Biology
Parasitology
Zoology

Education

A.B.D.
    Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Bachelor of Science/Arts in Biology and English
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Awards

Rachel Carson Fellow, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI & SU) 1993
Morris Fellow, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 1996-1999
Lambda Sigma’s (Sophomore Honor Society) Professor of the Month Award, Pikeville College

Personal

Mrs. Whittaker was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She traveled quite a bit when young and spent time living in Paris, France, Paris, Ky. and Chapel Hill, N.C. Her family lived on a farm in Paris, Ky., where her love for biology was really fuelled. She spent hours working in the fields and gardens, working with livestock, playing around the creek, observing ants and returning home with frogs, snakes and other “critters” to show her less-than-thrilled parents. While an undergraduate, Whittaker conducted independent research on dominance hierarchies among white-throated sparrows. She also conducted a project working with Eastern meadowlark behavior in Florida and was employed as a Wildlife Intern at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee. Whittaker was working at Land Between the Lakes when they created the Elk and Bison Prairie, and her interest in this project inspired her to start dissertation work at Southern Illinois University working with elk and bison ecology. While at Southern Illinois University, Whittaker served as a teaching assistant for mammalogy and cellular and molecular biology, genetics and evolution. Whittaker began teaching at Pikeville College in the fall of 2002. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, travel, and spending time with her two sons, Brendan and Cameron, and her husband, Joe.


Joseph C. Whittaker

Joseph C. Whittaker

Associate Professor of Biology

Office: Armington 105
Telephone: 606.218.5467
E-mail: jwhittak@pc.edu

Personal Web space

Classes taught

Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates
Ecology II
Evolution and Ecology
Field Studies in Mammalogy
Game Mammals
Genetics
Independent Research
Introduction to Biology Lab
Lab Internship in Biology
Mammalogy
Principles of Biology I
Principles of Biology II
Special Topics: Mammalogy
Special Topics: Comparative Endocrinology
Zoology

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology
    Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Master of Science in Biology
    University of Minnesota at Duluth
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
    DePauw University

Awards and Honors

Selected by the Outstanding Young Men of America, 1987, 1988
Dissertation Research Award Fellowship, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1998
Florence M. and Charles L. Foote Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1998
Richard E. Blackwelder Award, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1999
Richard R. Kudo Outstanding Dissertation Award, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2003
Lambda Sigma’s (Sophomore Honor Society) Professor of the Month Award, Pikeville College, 2003, 2005
William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Award, Second Place, Pikeville College, 2004
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2005, 2006

Personal

Dr. Whittaker was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. His love of the outdoors and nature made biology a natural choice as a field of study, and the enjoyment he has found by sharing his love of nature led him to teaching. He has served as a teaching assistant throughout his career as a graduate student and taught mammalogy and game mammals as a lecturer at Southern Illinois University. He came to Pikeville College in the fall of 2001. During the summers, he has been teaching field studies in mammalogy at the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station in Minnesota. He has an active research program involving undergraduates and, while much of his research has focused on mammals, he has also advised projects working with birds and amphibians. In his spare time he enjoys photography, hiking, travel and spending time with his two sons, Brendan and Cameron, and his wife Clare.