Kevin W. Hopkins, Ph.D.
Mathematics Department Faculty
Professor and Department Chair
Office: 127D Wheeler Science
Building
Phone: (417) 328-1675
Email
Why do you enjoy teaching at SBU? "Many think that math and faith don't mix much at all. For me, mathematical concepts help me to get a better grasp of concepts of Christianity (an infinite God, the Trinity, how can God be omniscient and omnipresent, etc.). At SBU I can share these relationships where appropriate in class. Working in a community of faith is important to me. Raising my children in the community of Bolivar (a larger community where there is significant faith) is the best place I can think of to raise them."
Courses Taught: Calculus I, II, III; Advanced Calculus; College, Linear and Abstract Algebra; Math Technologies; PreCalculus. In the past he has also taught Discrete Mathematics, Numerical Analysis, Probability and Statistics, and Intro to Computing. In fall 2007 he taught Business Statistics.
Educational and Professional Background: Hopkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics from Greenville College in 1983, a Master of Science in 1986 and Ph.D. in 1989 both in Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign.
Faith Dedications: Dr. Hopkins sings in the adult choir, is a deacon, serves as coordinator for his Sunday School email newsletter, helps with Youth Handbells, and plays in Adult Handbells. He also worked in 4th-5th grade choir for some time and in Vacation Bible School until his AP Grading (see below) was scheduled at the same time.
In December 2006 he was given the Faculty Life Beautiful Award. This award, given annually, is among the highest honors that SBU bestows upon a faculty member. Recipients of the Faculty Life Beautiful Award are selected by a University-wide balloting process under the supervision of the Provost, and the balloting involves all eligible faculty. Criteria for the award include "Christlike behavior in family, school, church, and social interactions," "participates actively in worship and service in a body of Christian believers," "exhibits a Christlike lifestyle in his or her personal and daily life." This award was featured in the March 2007 issue of SBU Life. In April 2007 he was given the Faculty Service Award from the College of Science and Mathematics.
Hobbies and Interests: Dr. Hopkins is active in running math contests for students, maintaining a web page about math contests, and coaching students at Bolivar Middle School (in 2005 the group finished 4th at Regional MATHCOUNTS, in 2006 they also finished 4th, and in 2007 they finished SECOND, qualifying for the state MATHCOUNTS competition in March). Those experiences encouraged him to run a Math Contest Camp in summer 2006 which was quite successful and was continued in 2007. Information about 2008 Camp is at http://users.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins/2008mcc.html. He has also taught his son math in 7th and 8th grade after his son took Algebra I in 6th grade. His son was one of four students in the state of Missouri to achieve a perfect score on the AMC-8 exam in November, 2006, for which he was invited to meet with the governor of Missouri in April 2007. He participated in a fun estimation golf contest at the MCTM conference in 2004 and won. In May 2008, he assisted with coaching the Missouri ARML team. See http://users.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins/2008arml/ for a "photo story" about his trip there.
Other professional involvements are grading AP Calculus tests (in 2002-2008: see pictures and thoughts from 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007) and participating in syllabus audit for AP Calculus in Spring 2007. He has graded International Baccalaureate exams (May 2006, 2007, and 2008). He has presented at various state conferences (see his resume for more details). He sings (and has even written a few) math songs.
Last modified June 2, 2008 to include activities planned for summer 2008.