The next academic speaker to visit UTM hopes to make math fun to everyone.

"Magic with Mathematics: Is the Formula Faster Than the Eye?" is the title of the next lecture to be presented at UTM. The presentation by Dr. Edward Burger will be at 7:30 p.m., March 1, in the Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center. His appearance is coordinated by the Honors Programs on behalf of the entire university. The event is free and open to the public. A public reception will follow the speech in the lobby just outside the auditorium.

Burger is professor of mathematics and chair of the department of mathematics and statistics at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He is known for making mathematics come to life through his enthusiasm and humor. Burger asks: "Is mind-reading possible?

Can you make your dorm room bigger without throwing out your roommate? Can you break the bank at Vegas with dice? And perhaps the most compelling question: Do math professors really know how to dress? No mathematics background is necessary and no mathematics will explicitly be discussed. If you hate mathematics, this talk is for you." Burger is author of more than 60 articles and two books, winner of a Mathematics Association of American distinguished teaching award, and associate editor of the American Mathematical Monthly. He has his own Web site at http://www.williams.edu/Mathematics/eburger/.

"Ed Burger is nationally known for his dramatic and entertaining presentations on mathematics," said Dr. William Zachry, director of the UT Martin Honors Programs. "He promises to make it fun for everyone, especially those who can't stand the sight of an equation."

Berger’s awards include the 2004 Mathematical Association of America, 2003 Residence Life Academic Teaching Award, sponsored by the University of Colorado at Boulder, 2002-2003 Stanislaw Ulam Visiting Professor of Mathematics by the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as others.

Dr. Berger recived his bachelors degree of mathematics from Connecticut College. He earned his phD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Berger’s resume is not complete with out mentioning the many positions that he holds outside of his teaching career. Two positions that he holds are the Associate Editor of The American Mathematical Monthly and an advisory member of the Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications.

Dr. Zachary says that this this lecture will appear to all groups, especially those who love math and even those that hate it. For more information, contact Dr. Zachry at zachry@utm.edu or 731-587-7436.