Professional

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