معرفی
Russell W. Howell is the Kathleen Smith Chair of Natural and Behavioral Sciences at Westmont College. He holds a BS from Wheaton College, an MSc from the University of Edinburgh, and a PhD from The Ohio State University. His research focuses on complex analysis and the intersection of mathematics with theology and philosophy. Howell has held visiting positions at institutions including UC Berkeley, Calvin University, and Oxford University, and has been honored twice as Westmont’s Teacher of the Year. He co-authored Complex Analysis for Mathematics and Engineering and contributed to interdisciplinary works like Mathematics Through the Eyes of Faith. His textbook Complex Analysis for Mathematics and Engineering is now freely available via the Open Textbook Initiative.
Howell’s academic contributions span theoretical mathematics, pedagogical innovation, and interdisciplinary scholarship. His work bridges mathematical rigor with theological inquiry, exploring questions about the nature of mathematical beauty, faith-based perspectives in STEM, and the philosophical implications of mathematical concepts. He has also served as a leader for Westmont’s study abroad programs in Europe and Mexico, integrating academic and experiential learning.
Notable achievements include his Teacher of the Year awards, his role as co-editor of Mathematics in a Postmodern Age, and his advocacy for open educational resources. Howell’s research articles address topics ranging from annular functions and harmonic polynomials to the historical and cultural dimensions of mathematics.
His awards and recognitions highlight his excellence in teaching and scholarship, while his academic service includes military service in the U.S. Army in South Korea and leadership in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between mathematics and religion.
