Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences will host the 2025 J. Roderick Davis Lecture on Thursday, October 9, at 7 p.m. in Reid Chapel. This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Francis Su, Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College.

A self-described “mathematical explorer,” Su is widely recognized for his engaging teaching and scholarship. He is a former president of the Mathematical Association of America and a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. In 2013, he received the Haimo Award, one of the nation’s highest honors for college mathematics faculty. His work has been featured in Quanta Magazine, Wired, and The New York Times.

Su’s acclaimed book, Mathematics for Human Flourishing (2020), winner of the 2021 Euler Book Prize, casts an inclusive vision of mathematics—exploring not only what math is and who it is for, but also why it matters for human development and flourishing. His teaching and writing are also deeply informed by his Christian faith, which he views as a call to express love, hope, and justice through education.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are encouraged to attend.