Mathematics - Faculty


John LaGrange

Program Coordinator, Professor of Mathematics

John LaGrange

Jim and Helen Fugitte Science Center - 112
Phone: 270-384-7376
E-mail: lagrangej@lindsey.edu

Ph.D., University of Tennessee
M.S., Western Kentucky University
B.S., University of Southern Indiana

Dr. LaGrange is a Professor of Mathematics at Lindsey Wilson College. His research interests involve commutative rings and quasigroups in algebraic graph theory and combinatorics. He has taught mathematics at Lindsey Wilson College since 2010, and enjoys working with students on principles for communicating mathematical ideas.


Bonnie Davenport

Associate Professor of Mathematics

Bonnie Davenport

Jim and Helen Fugitte Science Center - 111
Phone: 270-384-8075
E-mail: davenpor@lindsey.edu

M.A., Western Kentucky University
B.A., Western Kentucky University

I am originally from Elizabethtown, Ky. I was invited to teach in the Math Dept. on Jan. 1977, just after moving to Greensburg, Ky. I only had my Bachelor's degree at the time. Dr. McDonald asked me at the end of the spring semester if I liked them, which I replied yes, and he said they liked me, and the rest is history.

I like to read, scrapbook, garden, and be a grandmother to two 2-year boys.

I have grown so much as a teacher, and it is because of my students. They have taught me that everyone is an individual with many of the same needs, but also different needs. I hope that addressing the same and different needs of my students will create a classroom of learning, respect, and enjoyment.


Michael Ratliff

Associate Professor of Mathematics

Michael Ratliff

Jim and Helen Fugitte Science Center - 212
Phone: 270-384-8110
E-mail: ratliffm@lindsey.edu

Ph.D., University of Tennessee
M.A., University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
B.S., University of Arkansas at Monticello

I came to Lindsey Wilson College in 1990 from Arkansas. Three things make Lindsey very attractive as a workplace: (1) the College's emphasis on teaching and learning, (2) the opportunity to work with preservice mathematics teachers in all grade levels, and (3) the rural locale of the College.

My academic interests include: (1) students' notions of 'proof,' especially in dynamic geometry environments, and (2) numeracy in other disciplines. Outside of academics, interests include: (1) the first thirty years of rock-and-roll music, (2) collecting redline Hot Wheels, and (3) bicycling.

My main goal in the teaching of mathematics is to foster students' understanding of the mathematics beyond the finding of answers to mathematical tasks.


Rickie L. Williams

Instructor of Mathematics

Rickie L. Williams

Jim and Helen Fugitte Science Center - 107
Phone: 270-384-8087
E-mail: williamr@lindsey.edu

M.A., University of Arkansas
B.S., University of Arkansas

Lindsey Wilson College brought me to Columbia, Kentucky from Western Arkansas to teach mid to lower level math classes in August 1989. I decided to teach at the college level after determining that junior high students really ought to have a prison warden and/or a drill sergeant for a teacher.

Outside the classroom, I like to do things literally outside whenever possible...whether it be construction work, yard work, or riding my motorcycle. Merging skills learned in helping my granddad build houses and my dad do auto body work, high end custom cabinet building has become a side-line occupation for me...a trade that uses a lot of math.

My interests in the field of mathematics are strictly on the practical. Theoretical mathematics is a good thing...but not something in which I am interested. As for computations, I think a student ought to pride him- or herself in using a calculator and/or a computer as little as possible.


Linda Kessler

Mathematics Tutor Coordinator

Linda Kessler

Jim and Helen Fugitte Science Center - 130
Phone: 270-384-8115
E-mail: kesslerl@lindsey.edu

B.A., Lindsey Wilson College

Adair County Board of Education as an adult education instructor, literacy coordinator and the adult learning center coordinator.

After graduating from Lindsey Wilson College in 1990, I began work in the mathematics program as a developmental math instructor and the tutor coordinator. As a student I was first in the receiving end of the mission of LWC, "every student every day"; then I had the opportunity to serve the students and honor this same mission. I am a lifelong resident of Columbia, KY and I am fortunate to have Lindsey Wilson College in my hometown.

Besides my career in mathematics my main interest are family, church and community. My husband and I have operated a dairy farm for over 40 years. Together with our three sons and six grandchildren, we have raised registered jersey cows and showed them at the county, state, and national levels. Also, I am an active member of the Columbia Church of Christ and work with the ladies mission programs. I have served as a county officer in the Adair County Homemakers, been a member of the Chamber of Commerce and involved with my local political party.

My goal as a developmental math instructor is to offer the opportunity for each student to realize that they can be successful and competent in developing math skills. As a math tutor coordinator, I enjoy working with many gifted LWC math students.