In the 34 years since joining the Mathematics Department at Whitman, Professor Robert Fontenot has savored his role as advisor to students completing the 3-2 Engineering and Computer Science Program and his work with independent study students.   Fontenot, who is ending his career at Whitman this year, said he will miss the day to day interaction with students and colleagues, but he has big plans for the future.  

After earning his B.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Louisiana State University, Fontenot worked at Oakland University for 3 years before joining the faculty at Whitman in 1975.   His courses over the years have ranged from calculus to linear algebra to numerical analysis to operations research and differential equations.

“I have been blessed by good relationships with  my amazingly dedicated  and highly
competent colleagues among the faculty and staff  at Whitman,” he said.   “I have enjoyed having good  students in my classes and, in particular, for independent studies in things like topology or game theory and for  honors theses or senior projects.”

Fontenot’s involvement has not been limited to the mathematics department, however.  

He served as faculty adviser to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and participated in rock climbing trips with the Outdoor Program, and he and his wife hosted a series of picnic dinners and discussion groups for students.

“A group of eight or so students…met weekly in my home over a two-year period for  discussions of  magazine articles and for consumption of  yummy treats,” said Fontenot.

Fontenot was a Paul Garret Fellow and has been awarded the A.E. Lange Award for Distinguished Science Teaching twice.   He served as a member of the Catholic Children and Family Services Board and was honored for this community service with the Town-Gown Award in 1996.

His goals and plans for the future include an Alaskan cruise, volunteer work, research projects, and learning Spanish. But first, he plans to relax.  

“I am going to rest a little bit, spend lots of time with my wonderful wife, and pet my
cats,” said.   He also intends to visit his children in California, Texas, and  Delaware and family members in Louisiana.  

The list continues: long walks and bike rides, drinking coffee and wine, eating “fattening treats with friends,” reading the New York Times, attending plays and talks at Whitman and elsewhere, and getting more involved with church activities and organizations that serve the poor.