Brabenec Lectureship

To support conversations in faith and the mathematical sciences at institutions that might not otherwise have the funds to bring in speakers.

Derek Schuurman

Computer Science

Calvin University

Bio

Derek C. Schuurman completed his undergrad and masters degrees at the University of Waterloo and worked in industry for several years designing embedded systems. Sensing a call to teaching, he completed a Ph.D. at McMaster University in the area of robotics and computer vision. He has taught computer science at Redeemer University, served as a visiting professor at Dordt University, and is currently professor of computer science at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2003, when he began teaching, he attended his first ACMS conference hosted at Point Loma University and has been active in the ACMS ever since. He has served on the ACMS board (2011-2019) and on two ACMS conference organizing committees (2015 and 2022). He has written and spoken widely on technology and is a regular columnist with Christian Courier and contributor to the Christian Scholars Review blog. He is author of the book Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology and co-author of the newly-released book, A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers, both published by InterVarsity Academic Press. He and his wife, Carina, have four children, and he lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Bob Brabenec

Dr. Robert Brabenec began teaching mathematics at Wheaton College in June of 1964, and after a two year tour of active duty as an Army captain in missile intelligence, he returned to Wheaton in 1967 to become the chair of the newly formed Department of Mathematics. Over the years, he has developed a special interest in the history and foundations of mathematics, integrating these ideas into most courses that he teaches. In 1977, he began the organization that is now called the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences. This organization of about 300 members sponsors a major conference every two years and supports other activities to help Christian mathematicians and computer scientists see connections between their academic discipline and their Christian faith. Visit the ACMS website

Dr. Brabenec is the author of two books, Introduction to Real Analysis, published by PWS-Kent in 1990, and Resources for the Study of Real Analysis, published by the Mathematical Association of America in 2005. He has written several articles and given many talks on topics dealing with calculus and analysis, as well as mathematical history and pedagogy. He spent his first six month sabbatical in 1988 at the Universities of London and Cambridge and a second sabbatical at the University of Virginia in 1995. Two additional sabbaticals were spent in Cambridge, England in 2002 and 2006. In the fall of 2009, he spent another sabbatical traveling to fifteen Christian colleges, where he presented over fifty talks on topics of mathematical history and foundational topics, and how they connect to faith issues. Dr. Brabenec and his wife have three children and eight grandchildren. They enjoyed travel, general history and biographies, and visiting museums and historical sites during their forty-six years of marriage until her death in 2007. He attends and is active at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Warrenville. He is involved with students, serving as faculty advisor to the International Justice Mission student chapter and the Wheaton Cares group, and as a faculty mentor to the track and cross country teams.

About the ACMS Brabenec Lectureship

Expectations

The Brabenec Lecturer will give one talk in the fall term and one talk in the winter/spring term with a focus on the integration of faith in the mathematical sciences. At least one of the talks will be scheduled in person at a hosting institution, the second may be virtual.

The lecturer will be open to giving additional talks (either in person or virtual), by request, as their schedule allows.

If the lecturer is visiting another institution, the lecturer can be open to the option of providing a supplementary technical talk.

Funding

The ACMS Board has set aside an annual award of up to $2,000.

Of that amount, $200 will serve as an honorarium with the remainder for expenses including travel.

ACMS is now a recognized charitable organization and members are encouraged to make tax-deductible donations. In doing so, a member is welcome to earmark their donation for the Brabenec Lectureship fund.