Dr. Kenneth H. Luther
Retired Professor of Mathematics
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Valparaiso University
metalprofessor@gmail.com
Education
- Ph.D. Environmental Science, 1998. School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
- M.S. in Mathematics, 1990. University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
- B.S. in Mathematics (Minor: Physics & Astronomy), 1988. Mount Union College, Alliance, OH.
Academic and Professional Experience
Valparaiso University Excellence in Teaching Award, Spring 2022. // Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics, Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America, March 2008. // Nominated for Caterpillar Teaching Award at Valparaiso University, 2010 and 2012. Nominated for VU Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award, 2015.
- Fall 1998 – Spring 2022 @ Valparaiso University.
- Fall 2011 – Summer 2019: Chair, Department of Mathematics and Statistics (was Department of Mathematics and Computer Science until Fall 2014)
- Fall 2005 – Present: Associate Professor: Department of Mathematics and Statistics (ex-Mathematics and Computer Science)
- Fall 1998 – Summer 2005: Assistant Professor: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Courses taught: Quantitative Problem Solving, Precalculus, Business Calculus, Finite Mathematics, Calculus I / II / III, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Models in the Life and Environmental Sciences, Dynamical Systems, Partial Differential Equations, Introduction to Complex Variables, Real Analysis I & II, Water Resources Science and Management
- Summer 1997 – Spring 1998: Instructor, Ivy Tech State College. Courses taught: Intermediate Algebra, Algebra and Trigonometry I \& II.
- Fall 1996, Fall 1997: Instructor, Indiana University. E400: Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology.
- Summer 1989, Summer 1990: Instructor, University of Delaware: Calculus for Business and Economics, Calculus II with Applications
Publications – Books

Linear Algebra Junior – in preparation.
Publications – Journals and Technical Reports
- Michael Karls, Kenneth H. Luther, Jeremy Christman (2020), “9-002-S-GroundWaterFlow,” https://www.simiode.org/resources/8071 .
- Luther, K.H., 2012. Mathematics Underground. Primus 22 (7).
- Luther, K.H., 2011. Is This Integral Zero? The College Mathematics Journal, Nov 2011.
- Bakker, M., Kelson, V., Luther, K., 2005. Multilayer Analytic Element Modeling of Radial Collector Wells. Ground Water 43(6).
- Luther, K.H., 2002. 3D Flow to Radial Collector Wells in Confined and Unconfined Aquifers. Eos. Trans. AGU 83(19), Spring Meet. Suppl., Abstract H15C-09.
- Luther, K.H, Haitjema, H.M. 2000. Approximate Analytic Solutions to 3D Unconfined Groundwater Flow Within Regional 2D Models. Journal of Hydrology, 229:101-117.
- Haitjema, H.M., V.A. Kelson, and K.H. Luther, 2000. Analytic Element Modeling of Ground-Water Flow and High Performance Computing. EPA Environmental Research Brief EPA/600/S-00/001/
- Luther, K.H, Haitjema, H.M. 1999. An Analytic Element Solution to Unconfined Flow Near Partially Penetrating Wells. Journal of Hydrology, 226:197-203.
- Luther, K.H, 1998. Analytic Solutions to Three-Dimensional Unconfined Groundwater Flow Near Wells. PhD Thesis, Indiana University.
- Luther, K.H., Haitjema, H.M. 1998. Numerical Experiments on Residence Time Distributions in Heterogeneous Groundwatersheds. Journal of Hydrology, 207: 1-17.
- Haitjema, H.M., Luther, K.H., and Wittman, J, 1997. IU-SPEA 1995-1996 Groundwater Technical Support Activities for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
- Haitjema, H.M., Mitchell-Bruker, S. and Luther, K.H., 1995. Analytic Element Modeling of the Walnut Creek Watershed. Report submitted to the USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Laboratory in fulfillment of USEPA/USDA Interagency Agreement DW12936252-01-0.
- Fromm, D.M., Luther, K.H.. BiKR — A Range-dependent, Normal-Mode Performance Prediction Model For Bistatic Geometries, Naval Research Laboratory Report NRL/FR/7140–95-9786.
Presentations
- “A Boundary Value Problem for a Doublet”, Joint Mathematics Meetings: Boston, MA, Jan 4-7, 2012.
- “Is Your Integral Zero?” Mathfest, Pittsburgh, PA, 08/05/10-08/06/10.
- “On-Line Calculus Courses At Valparaiso University” at the annual Joint Mathematics Meetings: New Orleans, LA, Jan 5-8, 2007.
- “Double Layers, Solid Angles and Cubic Splines: Fun With a Well in a Stratified Aquifer (Preliminary report)” at the annual Joint Mathematics Meetings: New Orleans, LA, Jan 5-8, 2007.
- “Implementing Assessment Plans for Programs in Mathematics and Computer Science: What We Have Learned through Two Cycles” at the annual Joint Mathematics Meetings: New Orleans, LA, Jan 5-8, 2007.
- “A First Water Resources Class at Valparaiso University” at the Spring Meeting of the Indiana Water Resources Association, Purdue University, June 22, 2006.
- “Multilayer and 3D Modeling of Radial Collector Wells” at the 5th International Conference on the Analytic Element Method, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, May 17 2006.
- “Using On-Line Courseware to Implement Step-Wise Learning for Math Students”, Fall Meeting of the Indiana Section of the MAA, Evansville University, Evansville, IN, Nov 5-6, 2004.
- “A Top Ten List for Students and Faculty”, Spring Meeting of the Indiana Section of the MAA, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, March 28-29, 2003.
- “Meeting Future Demand While Maintaining High Water Quality in Valparaiso, IN.” Spring Meeting of the Indiana Water Resources Association, Angola, IN, June 19-21, 2002.
- “3D Flow To Radial Collector Wells in Confined and Unconfined Aquifers” Spring Meeting of the AGU, Washington D.C., May 28-31, 2002.
- “Mathematical Modeling of Groundwater Flow: A Potentially Interesting Problem”, Spring Meeting of the Indiana Section of the MAA, Anderson, IN, March 22-23, 2002.
- “Interaction Between Ranney Wells and Surface Water Features: Approximate Analytic Solutions.” (poster) SIAM Conference on Mathematical and Computational Issues in the Geosciences, Boulder, CO, June, 2001.
- “Know Your Model: A Capture Zone Analysis For Valparaiso, IN Using WhAEM.” Spring Meeting of the Indiana Water Resources Association, Spring Mill, IN, June 14-16, 2000.
- “An Inventory of 2D and 3D Analytic Elements.” (poster) SIAM Conference on Mathematical and Computational Issues in the Geosciences, San Antonio, TX, March 24-27, 1999.
- “An Approximate Analytic Solution to a Free Boundary Problem in Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flow.” Annual Meeting of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Toronto, Canada, July 13-17, 1998.
- “An Analytic Element Solution to Unconfined Flow Near Partially Penetrating Wells.” Analytic-Based Modeling of Groundwater Flow, April 7-10 1997, Nunspeet, The Netherlands.
- “Numerical Experiments on Residence Time Distributions.” Spring Meeting of the Indiana Water Resources Association, Madison, IN, June 19-21, 1996.
- “Modeling Residence Time Distributions in Groundwatersheds.” Spring Meeting of the Indiana Water Resources Association, Spring Mill, IN, June 1-3, 1994.
- “An Analytic Element Solution to Unconfined Flow Near a Partially Penetrating Well.” (poster) The Spring Meeting of the Americal Geophysical Union, Baltimore, MD, May 20-24, 1994.
- “Computational Efficiency in a Bistatic Range-Dependent Normal-Mode Acoustic Reverberation Model.” The Spring Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Salt Lake City, UT, May 11-15, 1992. Abstract: J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 91, 2343(A), 1992.
Professional Activity
- Fall 2018 to Present: Development of WebWork problems for Calculus, Finite Mathematics, Partial Differential Equations
- Fall 2012 – Summer 2016: Co-PI on Resequencing Calculus, Phase II, an NSF TUES Type 2 (Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM) grant. Involved curriculum development for a calculus textbook now being published by Wiley, using content in classrooms, assessment of developed practices, and implementation of over 2,000 associated homework problems in the on-line platform WebWork. These problem sets were used at several institutions, most heavily by Baldwin Wallace College and the University of Central Missouri.
Reviewer:
- Fall 2014 – present: Associate Editor of the Journal Groundwater.
- Other reviews for Journal of Hydrology, Water Resources Research, Journal of Environmental Informatics, Advances in Water Resources, Hydrological Science and Technology.
Service : Professional / Community
- 2012-2014 Mathematics Across the Discipline Committee (Mathematical Association of America).
- Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America: Chair, Spring 2009 – Spring 2010; Vice Chair, Spring 2008 – Spring 2009.
- Indiana Section of the American Water Resources Association: 1999-2009. Was President in 2004.
- Valparaiso Department of Water Works Wellhead Protection Steering Committee / Groundwater Guardian Team, 2000-2011.
- Councilor, Division of Mathematics and Computer Science, Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Summer 2005 – Summer 2008.
- Board of Directors, Valparaiso City Utilities, May 2001 – July 2008.
Service: University
- Fall 2018 to present: University Marshal
- Fall 2017: Member, Alfred W. Sieving Chaired Professorship Selection Committee, VU College of Engineering
- Fall 2015 – Spring 2017: Member, Department Rewards Task Force
- Member, Faculty Senate and University Council, 2013-2015.
- Member, Faculty Concerns Committee, 2010-2012.
- Member, Faculty Grievance Committee, 2009-2012.
- Member, Academic Technology Advisory Group (ATAG), 2000-present. Chair Fall 2014 – Fall 2016.
- Chair, Environmental Science Administrative Committee, 2003 –2009.
- Member, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Committee: Spring 2007 – 2010.
- Member, University Accreditation (NCA) Committee., Spring 2005- Spring 2008.
- Fall 2001 – Spring 2005. College of Arts and Sciences Committee on Scholarship and Advising, (Chair, 2003-4.)
- Search Committee for Residential Learning Coordinators, Department of Residential Life and Housing, Spring 2001.
Accomplishments as Department Chair
- Managed (friendly) departmental separation of Mathematics and Computer Science into Mathematics and Statistics, Computing and Information Sciences as of Fall 2014.
- 6 of 7 hired colleagues received tenure
- Launch of Data Science and Statistics majors
- Redesign of math placement process, with introduction of ALEKS
- Renovation of GEM 125 Unix Computer Lab
- Renovation of GEM 160 PC Computer Lab
- Installation of active learning classrooms with mobile furniture
- Installation of tech in GEM 233
- Hosting of Tri-Section Meeting of IN MAA, Spring 2018
- Curriculum reform of all types