Casey Orndorff
Casey Orndorff is a 2013 WVU Tech mathematics graduate. He discovered
his interest in math after initially pursuing computer science at Tech.
“I wanted to be a computer engineer but, with a gentle nudge, I realized that studying math was ideal for me,” he said.
Casey now resides in Clarksville, Arkansas, where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of the Ozarks.
When thinking back on his time at Tech, it was not only the great faculty who helped him grow but the experiences he had.
“There are loads of memories. From being named Mr. Golden Bear in 2011 to representing Tech at the USCAA Cross Country Nationals in 2012 to meeting friends who shared my interest in video and board games,” he said.
When asked why he chose Tech, Casey said it came down to three factors.
“The outstanding reputation of the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering; the small campus size, which made me feel like a person and not number; and the opportunity to continue to participate in cross country at the collegiate level,” he said.
As a student, Casey was a member of Campus Light, Christian Student Union, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Chi, SAAC, SGA, National Society of Leadership and Success, American Chemical Society, SAB and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Upon graduating from Tech, Casey earned both a master’s in mathematics and a Ph.D. in computational analysis and modeling from Louisiana Tech University. He foresees exciting opportunities in these fields over the next several years.
“As technology rapidly increases in power, computational mathematics is really taking off in the area of simulation development. A recent project I worked on looked at developing a simulator to predict the effects of skin cancer treatments,” he said.
In his spare time, Casey continues to run competitively. After being diagnosed with T38 (mild cerebral palsy), he began competing as a para-athlete. To date, he has won 10 gold medals and 4 silver medals in running plus a bronze medal in powerlifting. This year he became the first-known athlete with cerebral palsy to break the two-hour barrier in the half-marathon while winning his division in the same race.