
Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences welcomed Francis Su, Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, as the featured speaker for the 2025 J. Roderick Davis Lecture, held Thursday, Oct. 9, in Reid Chapel.
An audience of students, faculty and community members gathered to hear Su’s lecture, “Mathematics for Human Flourishing: Building Virtues, Not Just Skills.” Known for his warmth, wit and insight, Su invited listeners to see mathematics not simply as a technical discipline, but as a deeply human pursuit that shapes character and nourishes the soul.
Throughout the evening, Su challenged the common perception of math as a source of anxiety or a mere steppingstone to career success. Instead, he explored how mathematical thinking cultivates virtues such as persistence, creativity, curiosity and joy.
“I loved learning about how math is more than just formulas,” said freshman Megan Weber. “It really made me think differently about what it means to learn.”
Drawing from personal experiences, including a powerful friendship with an incarcerated man who discovered a love for math, Su illustrated how mathematics can meet fundamental human longings for beauty, truth and belonging.
“The talk was very interesting and made me view math in a completely different way,” said freshman Jordan Owens.
A former president of the Mathematical Association of America and Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, Su is celebrated for his engaging approach to teaching and scholarship. His acclaimed book Mathematics for Human Flourishing (2020), winner of the 2021 Euler Book Prize, continues to inspire readers worldwide to see math as a path toward deeper human connection and growth.
The Davis Lecture, named for former Samford Dean J. Roderick Davis, is presented annually by the Howard College of Arts and Sciences and is free and open to the public.
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