Alumni Profile: Parmy Singh-Cobb, Ph.D. '03

The first Ph.D. graduate from the Mathematics Department reflects on enjoying the full experience of a Baylor education. She shares her journey below.

"Unbeknownst to me, my journey to Baylor began in the sixth grade in a small town in Michigan. The game was called Krypto and it had me hooked. Students randomly shouted out 6 natural numbers between 1 and 10, and the teacher listed them on the board. It was then the student's job to perform mathematical operations on the numbers, using each only once, until the result became the last number on the list. It was an enticing challenge for such young minds. Plus, it did not hurt that the teacher allowed us to rack up enough winning points to cash-in for cherry bubble gum pieces. Needless to say, that I found that math was fun and rewarding!

It was not until later in my college experience at Valdosta State University when I found the true power and reward in discovering the world of mathematics. I knew I needed to pursue this passion and help others share in my love for the subject--the life of academia was for me. My undergraduate advisor arranged for me to meet her former advisor, Dr. Johnny Henderson, at Auburn University. I found an interest in ordinary differential equations (ODE), and I loved how I was forced to reload my "toolbox" of forgotten techniques from Calculus, Trigonometry, and Algebra in order to solve each ODE.

After finishing my Master's degree at Auburn, Dr. Henderson took a position at Baylor University to help build a mathematics Ph.D. program. He welcomed his current graduate students to continue their work with him at Baylor, and I jumped at the chance. I packed up my Ford Escort and later found myself on the most beautiful campus I had ever seen. It was not only beautiful to my eyes, but it was also beautiful to my heart.

My first visit to Baylor happened to be on "Steppin' Out" day. What a wonderful sight it was to see all these college students volunteering their time fixing up homes of needy individuals. I knew then that Baylor harbored a special group of people. In fact, it is no secret that the University's students, faculty, and staff truly care about the Waco community.

I have many fond memories of activities at Baylor. The Bear Trail was great for exercise and for soaking in the beauty of the campus. However, on those hot Waco summer days, it was preferable to keep cool in the student gym. Moreover, I particularly enjoyed cooling off by participating in "Dr. Pepper Hour"--who can turn down ice cream and soda in the middle of a school day! I also enjoyed driving to Floyd Casey Stadium to cheer on the Baylor Bears (Sic 'em Bears!) and stopping at Katie's Custards for an after-game treat.

There were even more fond memories of the time I spent in the Baylor's Mathematics Department. Every professor in the department is well known in their field and shares a genuine interest in their students. The Research Topics Seminar Series was a helpful and interesting way to see problems that the professors and the other students were solving. Furthermore, since I was studying singular differential equations on Time Scales, I thoroughly enjoyed the visit we had from Dr. Stefan Hilger, a pioneer in this field. I am sure he found it odd that I eagerly asked him to autograph my book on time-scales, but I could not pass up such a rare opportunity.

I was extremely honored to be the first Ph.D. graduate from the Mathematics Department at Baylor University and to represent such a fine institution. In retrospect, it was Divine intervention that led me on this path. Through my journey at Baylor and the mentoring of my advisor, Dr. Henderson, I not only gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about differential equations, but I also gained the most Awesome Knowledge--the Word of our Lord.

Since graduated in 2003, I have married and settled in Panama City Beach, Florida. I have accepted Christ as my Savior and have found a wonderful church family. I have been blessed with a rewarding career in teaching at Gulf Coast Community College, where I am the course manager for the Calculus sequence and enjoy teaching classes that range from Fundamentals of Algebra to Differential Equations to Discrete Mathematics. At the end of my second year of teaching, I was honored with the "Rookie of the Year Award." It was quite the honor since faculty and students nominate the recipient and over 20 people were in contention. I have also been fortunate enough to adjunct for Florida State University at the Panama City campus, where I teach engineering math courses as well as upper level courses. I am so blessed to work with such caring and dedicated colleagues and students. However, I have recently decided I need to spend more time at home to take care of my daughter, Lily, who will be two years old in December. It is true that she has stolen my heart, but my love for mathematics still remains. Although, I will be taking a break from full time teaching, I hope to become involved in mathematics research as an independent consultant.

It is said that Plato once hung over the entrance to his school the words "Let No One Unversed in Geometry Enter." Have you ever thought of what sign could be hung above the entrance to Baylor's Mathematics Department? I have a suggestion: "Let No One Unwilling to Leave as a Better Person Enter." I definitely left Baylor with more than just a doctoral degree in hand; Baylor provided me firm foundations in both education and in spiritual living. I left much better than when I entered. "