Aug 19, 2009 - Claremont, Calif. -

The 2009 edition of the Dr. Bruce J. Nelson '74 Distinguished Speaker Series has been announced at Harvey Mudd College.

The series' theme is “The Power and Beauty of Mathematics” and is particularly relevant for the college. Not only is the theme an extension of HMC’s mission, it is also a direct response to escalating interest in the practical applications of mathematics to solve the problems facing the world.

Through wide-ranging presentations by experts in the field of mathematics and follow-up discussions and analysis with students and faculty, HMC will explore the impact that mathematics has upon the world—as a tool to develop public policy and solve societal issues, as a driver of innovation and creativity in media and entertainment, and as a unique and beautiful, stand-alone art form.

The 2009 Nelson Series features a stellar lineup of experts in the field of mathematics, including:



October 2
Brian Greene
Professor of Mathematics and Physics, Columbia University

October 9
Danica McKellar
Mathematician, actor and author

October 30
Gary Lorden
Professor of Mathematics and Executive Officer for Mathematics, Caltech

November 12
Keith Devlin
Senior Researcher and Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Language and Information, Stanford University

November 20
Steven Strogatz
Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Applied Mathematics, Cornell University

The lectures will be held in Galileo Hall on the Harvey Mudd College campus, beginning at 7:30 p.m. They are free and open to the public and will be followed by a dessert reception. 
 

About the Dr. Bruce J. Nelson '74 Distinguished Speaker Series
HMC's speaker series is made possible through the generosity of the family of Bruce J. Nelson. Bruce's life and his sudden death in 1999 had a tremendous impact on the many people whose lives he touched. A brilliant technologist and a great leader, Bruce was also entirely unconventional and eclectic; a true free spirit. Friends from Harvey Mudd College vividly remember his passionate tirades against peas as well as his many daring outdoor adventures. He was an avid photographer, mountaineer and world traveler who cherished the tranquility and wonder of nature.

Bruce Nelson graduated from Harvey Mudd College in 1974 and went on to earn a master's in computer science from Stanford, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon. While pursuing his Ph.D., he developed the Remote Procedure Call, for which he was awarded the prestigious Association of Computing Machines Software Systems Award. At the time of his death, he was the chief science officer at Cisco Systems.

For additional information, please visit the Nelson Speaker Series website.