Professor James V. Rauff holds a Ph.D in linguistics (specialty: machine translation) from Northwestern University, an M.A. in mathematics (specialty: logic ) from the University of Wyoming, an M.A. in anthropology (specialty: Maya epigraphy) from Loyola University -Chicago, and a B.A. in mathematics from Albion College.  (See Dr. Rauff's mathematical family tree)

He has been teaching mathematics, computer science and anthropology at Millikin since 1988 where he holds the position of Professor of Mathematics.  Dr. Rauff was the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science from 2003 to 2006.  He regularly teaches Discrete Mathematics, History of Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Calculus, and an Honors Seminar on Infinity.  He has also taught differential equations, abstract algebra, logic, cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.

Professor Rauff served as Director of the Writing in the Disciplines Program from 1991-93.  He also served as the mathematics instructor in the Building New Bridges Program (1996-2001).  In 1990, he was awarded the Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Teacher Award.  In 1999, he gave the Distinguished Faculty Lecture at Millikin's Honors Convocation. In 2003, he was honored as the James Millikin Scholars' Educator of the Year. In 2008, he received a Research and Artistic Achievement Award. In 2010, he received the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.

Dr. Rauff has served on several University committees including the Honors Committee, the Council on Faculty, the Council on Global Issues, the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education Programs, and the Advisory Committee on Promotion and Tenure.   He is the faculty advisor to Pi Mu Epsilon and to Amnesty International.

Professor Rauff is a member of several professional organizations. These include the Société Canadienne d'Histoire et de Philosophie des Mathématiques , the British Society for the History of Mathematics, the North American Study Group on Ethnomathematics, the School Science and Mathematics Association, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.   He is also a member of the Plains Anthropological Society and a Fellow of The Royal Anthropological Institute. He was the Chair of the Division of Science, Mathematics & Technology Education of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences from 1992-1994.

    Dr. Rauff is a referee and book review editor for Mathematics and Computer Education , a book reviewer and referee for The Mathematics Teacher and the American Mathematical Monthly, and a book reviewer for SIGACT News.  He also reviewed materials for the NSF-funded TE-MAT project.  He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the American Mathematical Competitions.

    Professor Rauff has published many articles and reviews in linguistics, ethnomathematics, computer science, mathematics, and education. He is interested in a variety of topics involving language, mathematics and culture. You can look at list of his publications by clicking here.   A list of some of his speaking engagements can be seen by clicking here.