Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt
Department Chair; Associate Professor of Mathematics
Education
Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2012
M.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2004
B.S., Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina, 1999
“As the world becomes more technical and more data driven, math is intersecting with more fields. But even more common in our professional and personal lives is the need for critical thinking skills. In math, we talk about and practice those skills.”
Dr. Beth DeWitt wants her students to do more than just memorize equations and formulas. “The power and beauty of math is that each step of the solution is reasoned. It’s supposed to be clear, to make sense. I strive to encourage my students to pursue understanding, in and outside of math.” DeWitt hopes that by practicing independent thinking in class, her students grow more confident that they have the ability to contribute in discussion and in action in the broader world.
What drew her to Trinity?
As an undergrad at a liberal arts college, it occurred to DeWitt that her classes were exploring the same topics but asking different questions. “I am excited to be joining a community where we can discuss and synthesize our different perspectives, including the understanding we gain through faith, to form a more complete picture of truth.”
Research interests:
DeWitt works in the field of combinatorics, with a type of Symmetric Functions called Schur functions. “Schur functions are related to tableau, which are diagrams made of boxes filled with numbers according to certain rules. My work often involves playing with the tableau to find new patterns and relationships. These new identities can then be translated to serve as tools for mathematicians in other fields.”
When she’s not teaching:
DeWitt loves to travel. “Experiencing a place, the people, and their culture is my favorite way to keep learning. Some of my most memorable trips have been to the former homes of my favorite authors, artists, and historical figures; it reminds me that they were real people with real lives and inspires me to make an impact in this world.”
Courses
Abstract Algebra
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Junior/Senior Seminar in Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Probability and Statistics
Statistics
Publications and Presentations
Math Intersect Creativity, Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences, Azusa Pacific University, CA. June 1-4, 2022.
Counting Leading Shifted Tableaux, Annual Meeting of the Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Millikin University, IL. March 25-26.
Counting Leading Tableaux, Math Department Colloquium, Calvin University, MI. December 2, 2021.
Conversations in Chicagoland: A Way to Connect with Colleagues while Preparing for Pandemic Teaching and Beyond, Mathematical Association of America’s MathFest, virtual. August 4-7, 2021. With S. Bockting-Conrad and A. Steurer, contributors M. Lee and L. Vobornik.
Executing Inquiry Based Learning, Chicago Symposium Series, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL. February 21, 2020. With S. Bockting-Conrad and M. Lee, contributors A. Steurer and L. Vobornik.
Searching for Truth in A Certain Ambiguity, Joint Mathematics Meeting, Denver, CO. January 15-18, 2020.
Awards
2019-2020 Project NExT fellow, Mathematical Association of America
Professional Society Memberships
I am a founding member of the leadership of the ChiCOMMIT, a community of practice connecting college math instructors who use inquiry-based and other active learning techniques and educating instructors on these techniques, https://sites.google.com/view/chicommit/home.
I serve on the leadership team for the Southwest Chicago Math Teachers’ Circle, which is a supportive network for 5th-12th grade math teachers providing resources to implement inquiry-based pedagogies and rekindling their enjoyment for solving interesting problems, https://southwestchicagomathcircle.wordpress.com/.
American Mathematical Society
Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical Association of America
- + Expertise
-
Dr. Beth DeWitt wants her students to do more than just memorize equations and formulas. “The power and beauty of math is that each step of the solution is reasoned. It’s supposed to be clear, to make sense. I strive to encourage my students to pursue understanding, in and outside of math.” DeWitt hopes that by practicing independent thinking in class, her students grow more confident that they have the ability to contribute in discussion and in action in the broader world.
What drew her to Trinity?
As an undergrad at a liberal arts college, it occurred to DeWitt that her classes were exploring the same topics but asking different questions. “I am excited to be joining a community where we can discuss and synthesize our different perspectives, including the understanding we gain through faith, to form a more complete picture of truth.”
Research interests:
DeWitt works in the field of combinatorics, with a type of Symmetric Functions called Schur functions. “Schur functions are related to tableau, which are diagrams made of boxes filled with numbers according to certain rules. My work often involves playing with the tableau to find new patterns and relationships. These new identities can then be translated to serve as tools for mathematicians in other fields.”
When she’s not teaching:
DeWitt loves to travel. “Experiencing a place, the people, and their culture is my favorite way to keep learning. Some of my most memorable trips have been to the former homes of my favorite authors, artists, and historical figures; it reminds me that they were real people with real lives and inspires me to make an impact in this world.”
- + Courses, Publications & Research
-
Courses
Abstract Algebra
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Junior/Senior Seminar in Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Probability and Statistics
StatisticsPublications and Presentations
Math Intersect Creativity, Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences, Azusa Pacific University, CA. June 1-4, 2022.
Counting Leading Shifted Tableaux, Annual Meeting of the Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Millikin University, IL. March 25-26.
Counting Leading Tableaux, Math Department Colloquium, Calvin University, MI. December 2, 2021.
Conversations in Chicagoland: A Way to Connect with Colleagues while Preparing for Pandemic Teaching and Beyond, Mathematical Association of America’s MathFest, virtual. August 4-7, 2021. With S. Bockting-Conrad and A. Steurer, contributors M. Lee and L. Vobornik.
Executing Inquiry Based Learning, Chicago Symposium Series, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL. February 21, 2020. With S. Bockting-Conrad and M. Lee, contributors A. Steurer and L. Vobornik.
Searching for Truth in A Certain Ambiguity, Joint Mathematics Meeting, Denver, CO. January 15-18, 2020.
- + Awards & Memberships
-
Awards
2019-2020 Project NExT fellow, Mathematical Association of America
Professional Society Memberships
I am a founding member of the leadership of the ChiCOMMIT, a community of practice connecting college math instructors who use inquiry-based and other active learning techniques and educating instructors on these techniques, https://sites.google.com/view/chicommit/home.
I serve on the leadership team for the Southwest Chicago Math Teachers’ Circle, which is a supportive network for 5th-12th grade math teachers providing resources to implement inquiry-based pedagogies and rekindling their enjoyment for solving interesting problems, https://southwestchicagomathcircle.wordpress.com/.
American Mathematical Society
Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical Association of America