By Joseph Paquette, Contributing Writer
Brian Camp, Ph.D. is a new assistant professor of mathematics as of this fall in the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Camp comes to Saint Leo University from Louisiana Tech where he has spent the last seven years as a lecturer of mathematics. Before working at Louisiana Tech, he also taught at Oregon State and at his alma mater, Virginia Tech. It was at Virginia Tech that Dr. Camp earned his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. After graduating, and doing some work in the chemical engineering field, he returned to Virginia Tech to pursue his graduate studies. There he earned a Master’s in Applied Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Mathematics with an emphasis on numerical analysis. Dr. Camp wrote his doctoral dissertation on the types of methods researchers could use to test problems such as the penetration rate of electromagnetic waves through some type of shielding substance such as plastic or metal. Really trying to predict what will happen, get the equations behind it, try to work with the equations, program the computers, and get the results. Along with his dissertation, he has also written study guides for a couple of Calculus textbooks.
This fall, he is teaching multiple sections of MAT-131, College Mathematics. Dr. Camp likes to keep his students engaged and interacting as much as possible, while in class. He accomplishes this by having students break-out into groups and discuss ways to come up with the solutions to the problems. This allows his students to ask questions of their peers and to help each other out. There are times when students may feel more comfortable asking their questions among a small group of their peers rather than the entire class or even the professor himself. Another unique feature Dr. Camp has implemented in his mathematics classes is writing. It is his opinion that students, regardless of their course they are taking, need to know how to communicate what they know.
When asked what he would like do if he wasn’t a college professor, he said he would love to be a science fiction writer comparable to Isaac Asimov. During his free time, Dr. Camp enjoys exploring Florida and its beaches with his wife. Being an original computer geek, he also likes spending time tinkering with computers and playing computer games, especially Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs). He is also in a fantasy football league with some of his fellow professors, although he isn’t doing very well. When you see Dr. Camp around campus, make him feel welcome and part of the Saint Leo community.
