BOLIVAR, MO – Southwest Baptist University announced that Dr. Perry A. Tompkins has been hired as the new dean of the College of Mathematics and Science. Dr. Tompkins comes to SBU from Samford University, where he served as a physics professor and formerly chair of the department of physics. Last fall, Dr. Tompkins was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in Ecuador where he taught courses in computer instrumentation in Spanish.
Dr. Tompkins' initial goals include the following:
“My first goal is to develop a summer undergraduate research program for the faculty and students of the college. Additionally, I plan on increasing the scope and impact of the Darrell Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith both on campus and off. In this situation I plan on leveraging this outstanding resource to increase the recognition of the SBU quality and mission and to bring more resources into the University.
“I also plan on working to create international educational experiences in conjunction with the Strait center for our students and faculty to broaden the diversity on campus and to increase our attractiveness to students and potential faculty.”
Dr. Tompkins earned both his doctorate (1990) and master’s degree (1986) in physics from Texas A&M University. His dissertation involved the construction of an ion source and particle-beam transport system for the Superconducting-Super Collider (SSC).
He received a B.S. in Physics (1983) from the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Tompkins graduated magna cum laude and received the chairman's award for outstanding senior physics major. He also completed a cooperative education program with NASA-Johnson Space Center.
Dr. Tompkins began his teaching career at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and worked in industry for VI Engineering in Farmington Hills, Mich., and ITT Aerospace in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
One of Dr. Tompkins' most recent formal presentations was titled, “Raising Scientists in the Missionary Generation,” which was presented in Spanish at the Fifth Conclave on Science and Theology in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
The focus of Dr. Tompkins' presentation is “those students that desire to heed God’s call to vocation in science with the goal of maximizing this intersection of faith and science to prepare these students to be a force for changing the world”
Dr. Tompkins' thesis has four components that SBU students can expect to learn more about as he works to bring his goals for the College of Mathematics and Science to fruition. These components are as follows:
1. Historically, modern science was created by Christians.
2. Conflicts between science and Christianity are artificial and the rumors of wars are myths.
3. Science can illuminate one’s Christian walk.
4. A Christian liberal arts environment can be an ideal environment to create the next generation of scientists.
“As a scholar and as a child of God,” Dr. Tompkins said, “my honest searching for truth is an act of worship. Through my searching, both spiritually and academically I am offering up my best efforts to the creator. I expect that I can make progress in this task because of the stability of God.”
Southwest Baptist University enables students to employ the use of mathematics and science from a Christian perspective as technological servant leaders within their chosen careers. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
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