Professor of Mathematics

Office: SC 116
Phone: (574) 535-7311
Email: poakley@goshen.edu

Education

BS, Wheaton College, 1981
MS, Northwestern University, 1984
PHD, Northwestern University, 1989

Current Projects

Mathematical Knitting and Crocheting

  • Hyperbolic Space

Parallel Lines in Hyperbolic Space

Symmetric Hyperbolic Plane

  • The Klein Bottle

The Klein Bottle Constructed from Two Mobius Bands

The Klein Bottle constructed from a single Mobius Band

  • Fractals

Fractals and the Sierpinski Triangle

Professional Development

  • June 1999: NSF Chautauqua course: Cosmology in the Millennium
  • June 2000 and June 2001: Viewpoints: Workshop on Mathematics and Art
  • June 2003: MAA PREP Workshop: Discrete Mathematics: An early foundation for the study of computer science
  • June 2005: MAA PREP Workshop: Making the Math Visible : Explorations in College Geometry using the Geometer’s Sketchpad
  • January 2011: MAA minicourse: Geometry and algebra in mathematical music theory
  • June 2011: MAA PREP Workshop: Geometry and Art
  • January 2012: MAA Ancillary Workshop: Modeling in Calculus

 

Maple Scholars Research Projects

  • Mary Bruce Leigh. 2003. Mathematical Beauty; Mathematics and Symmetry. This resulted in a Pinchpenny Press Book, published in 2004.
  •  Rosanna Nafziger. 2004. Folding Paper and Planes: The Necessity of Establishing an Axiomatic Folding System.
  •  Lydia Short and Sarah Rody. 2010. Mathematics and Music: An introductory exploration of set theory, chaos and fractals. These students also produced a CD of fractal music compositions entitled, Fractal Dimension.

Courses

Courses 2012-2013

  • Math 131-132: Math Concepts for the Elementary Classroom
  • Math 205: Discrete Math
  • Math 211-213: Calculus and Multivariate Calculus
  • Math 302: Abstract Algebra

Sabbatical 2011-2012

  • AP Calculus, Bethany Christian Schools, 2011-2012

Previous courses Taught

  • Math 131-132: Math Concepts for the Elementary Classroom
  • Math 141: Finite Math
  • Math 205: Discrete Math
  • Math 211-213: Calculus and Multivariate Calculus
  • Math 301: Linear Algebra
  • Math 302: Abstract Algebra
  • Math 305: Modern Geometry
  • Math 351: Mathematical Modeling
  • Math 390: Problem Solving Seminar
  • Mathematical World: Mathematics and Art
  • Conjecture and Proof
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Cryptography
  • Multimedia Concepts
  • Descriptive Astronomy
  • Applied Analysis
  • Complex Variables
  • Introduction to Statistics

Lectures & Presentations

Mathematical World: Liberal Arts Mathematics with an Art Emphasis, MathFest, Madison, WI, 2008

Spinning: The Art and Calculation in Designing Yarn, Viewpoints Grand Reunion, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, 2008

Energy Conservation for Everybody, Merry Lea Naturfest, 2007

Fractals and Linear Algebra, MAA Indiana Section Student Workshop, 2004

The Great Indiana Adventure, Goshen Convocation, 1998

Selected Publications

The Viewpoints 2000 Group, Proof without Words: Geometric Series, Mathematics Magazine, 74 (2001) No. 4, p. 320.

Grants & Fellowships

2003-2004
Mininger Conference Grant – for attending Bridges: Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science.
2005-2006
Mininger Continuing Education Grant  – for attending MAA PREP Workshop: Making Math Visible: Explorations in College Geometry using The Geometer’s Sketchpad.
2008-2009
Mininger Conference Grant – for attending and presenting papers at Viewpoints (Lancaster, PA) and Mathfest (Madison, WI) on Mathematics and Art.
2009
Goshen College Course Development Workshop – for developing objectives and assessments for a revision of Math 211-212, Calculus I and II.
2010-2011
Mininger Departmental Grant Grant  – for evaluating the effectiveness of the current course offerings and general education requirements to meet the quantitative literacy needs for all students.
2012
Mininger Continuing Education Grant – for attending MAA Prep Workshop: Modeling: Early and Often in Undergraduate Calculus.

Memberships & Associations

Mathematical Association of America

  • 2004-2005 Nominating Committee, Mathematics Association of America, Indiana Section
  • 2006-2007 Vice Chair, Mathematics Association of America, Indiana Section
  • 2007-2009 Chair, Mathematics Association of America, Indiana Section
  • 2009-2010 Past Chair, Mathematics Association of America, Indiana Section

National Council for Teachers of Mathematics

Association of Women in the Mathematical Sciences

Personal Information

Patricia Oakley teaches Mathematics at Goshen College. Her interests are in connections between mathematics and the arts. In addition to teaching mathematics, she is the organist at 8th St. Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN.

Employment

1998-present
Professor of Mathematics
Goshen College
1994-1998
Assistant Professor
Seattle Pacific University
1989-1994
Mathematician
University of Washington, Applied Physics Lab
1991
Adjunct Professor
North Seattle Community College
1987-1988
Systems Engineer
Chicago Research and Trading Group
1984-1987
Graduate Research Assistant
Los Alamos National Laboratory