May 12, 2015 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University is pleased to announce the addition of new faculty member Dr. Joel Oakley to its School of Science and Mathematics. He will take the role of assistant professor of mathematics at the University. He has over 11 years of teaching experience at the collegiate level and his extensive knowledge of mathematics will give Belhaven students another strong foundation on which to build their education.
Dr. John Estes, Chair of Mathematics at Belhaven University, said, “Dr. Oakley's acquisition to our mathematics department only serves to confirm the positive trajectory of Belhaven's work in STEM areas. With his help, we have a greater opportunity to teach theoretical and applied mathematics from a Christian perspective and increase student research in mathematical fields of study.”
Dr. Oakley is a native of Mississippi and alumnus of Mississippi State University, where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Mathematics. After teaching mathematics as a lecturer at MSU for three years, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, where he taught courses as a graduate assistant and conducted research in the area of symplectic topology. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he accepted an assistant professorship at Shorter University.
“He brings valuable knowledge and enthusiasm to help raise the standards of Belhaven mathematics even higher and we believe we are seeing the beginnings of a time of unprecedented heights in terms of spiritual growth, academics and research,” adds Dr. Estes. “With Dr. Oakley as a part of our team, we will develop maturity, understanding, and leadership in our students to help them thrive in life after their Belhaven tenure.” He and his wife, Abbi, and son, Miles, are excited to return to Mississippi as part of the Belhaven University faculty.