Faculty Profile – Stephen Whittle
By James Sanders

Stephen Whittle may not be a name many students recognize, but for those who have fallen under his tutelage, he is a major reason why they graduate.  This mild-mannered and quiet individual is unique among math professors in that his degree is not in mathematics; rather his degrees are in biology and education.  An assistant professor of mathematics in the Department of Learning Support and University College, Mr. Whittle believes his experience and training in education may be a reason why some students grasp concepts of math when they didn’t previously.  It is also why he enjoys teaching learning support classes.

“I have had the opportunity to teach the [college algebra] course, but I prefer to teach the learning support courses more,” he says. Mr. Whittle explains that his desire to work with students who have a history of failure and frustration in mathematics is what he enjoys the most about teaching.

“I like seeing the light bulb go off when they suddenly get it,” Whittle said.

Prior to his job here at Augusta State, Mr. Whittle had a temporary position in the math department at Brunswick Junior College (now called Coastal Georgia Community College) from 1982-84.  When the job opening as an instructor in the learning support department became available at Augusta State, he immediately sought and received the position, which he has filled for 23 years now. 

“The single best thing [about my job] is the variety of things I do.  I get to teach 2-3 hours a day, do service work 2-3 hours a day, and scholarly work for 2-3 hours a day,” says Mr. Whittle.

For the last four years, Mr. Whittle has been the associate editor for the Georgia Journal of Science, a quarterly journal that consumes most of his free time. He also plans the technical program for the annual meeting of the Georgia Junior Academy of Science. “The conference makes it possible to have student scientists get their first professional experience, and I’m proud of that,” he says.

Born and raised in Brunswick, Ga., Mr. Whittle received an associate of science from Brunswick Junior College. He received a bachelor of science and master of education degrees from Georgia Southern College.

Name: Stephen Whittle
Position: Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Learning Support/University College
Time at ASU: 23 years
Interests: Local history and wildlife

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May 2007
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