Published on October 10, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
FrancisSuDavis

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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Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.