Smart, James R.
Date Updated
10-22-2019
Department
Mathematics and Computer Science
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1994
Educational Background
Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt Univ.), 1957 Ph.D.
Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt Univ.), 1954 M.A.
Hendrix College, 1950 BA
Teaching Experience
San Jose State University, 1957-1994
Texas Western College, 1955-1957
Selected Publications
More than one hundred professional publications, including textbooks, workbooks, and articles.
Modem Geometries is currently being revised for the 5th edition.
Analytic Geometry is available in a Spanish translation in Central and South America.
The best‑selling publication was the Ginn Enrichment Workbooks for elementary grades.
Files
Personal Commentary
My greatest satisfaction came from teaching, particularly from preparing students to become teachers of mathematics. Becoming Outstanding Professor in 1983 was a career highlight. Serving as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for two years was a nice change of pace. Membership on several Academic Senate Committees and being chair in 1992‑93 helped me understand campus problems and opportunities.
SJSU has always been supportive of my involvement in professional organizations. Positions in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics have included General Editor for the 1981‑83 Yearbooks and Chair of two national committees. Positions in the California Mathematics Council have included state secretary, northern section president, director of the Administrators Mathematics Conference, and editor of the state newsletter. Locally, I've been president and college chair of the Santa Clara Valley Mathematics Association. Currently, I'm chair of the Teaching Awards Committee of the Northern California Section of the Mathematical Association of America.
Many other activities have enriched my professional experiences. Some of them are the SJSU President's Strategic Planning Task Force, starting the Mathematics Department newsletter, reviewing articles for professional journals, directing the SJSU Center for Mathematics and Computer Science Education, directing the David and Lucile Packard Foundation grant program for mathematics credential students, being director or a staff member for 13 National Science Foundation Institutes, speaking at about 90 mathematics conferences, being a delegate to the 1970 White House Conference on Children and Youth, acting as a consultant for School Mathematics Study Group experimental centers, and judging at the San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair for more than 10 years. Currently, I'm the Emeritus Faculty Association representative on the Academic Senate.
My wife and I have participated in many activities together. She is the current president of Faculty Wives and Associates. We have also been involved in many community organizations, and have been members of Willow Glen United Methodist Church since 1957. We are finding retirement a great time of life.
Date Completed: 5/96
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997.