Edward Burger : Gaudino Scholar
Edward Burger, Professor of Mathematics, began his tenure as Gaudino Scholar in the Fall of 2008. A distinguished author of numerous articles and books, Professor Burger is especially well known for his exceptional pedagogical talents. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2007 Award of Excellence from Technology & Learning magazine, the 2007 Distinguished Achievement of The Association of Educational Publishers, the 2006 Lester R. Ford Award of the Mathematical Association of America, and the 2001 Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College Teaching of Mathematics from the Mathematical Association of America.
His plans for carrying on the Gaudino legacy of uncomfortable, self-reflexive learning include:
- In the Fall, 2008, Prof. Burger has orchestrated the first-ever interdisciplinary Gaudino course (EXPR 309--cross-listed under ARTS, PHIL, MATH, and MUSIC). This course centers on the creative process involved in generating original ideas, theories, and artistic works. Here, in three-week blocks, students will explore intensively the creativity involved in studio art, philosophy, music, and mathematics by attempting to produce original works in each of these areas of study. The focus will be more on the creative process rather than the final products.
- Monthly special events called "The Gaudino Dialogues", in which an interesting and successful alum will return to campus to share his or her life story (highlighting all the requisite failures as well as the successes) and how he or she has been creative. These events will be live sit-down, one-on-one interviews with Prof. Burger and will be open to the general public. The hope is that these alums will inspire all of us (especially our students) to take more risks and actively try to be more creative in our everyday lives. Each evening event will be proceeded by a private dinner with the students from the EXPR 309 class. Prof. Burger also hopes that these events will lead to discussions across divisions with interested faculty on how they are creative in their endeavors (both in their scholarly work and in the classroom), so that we can be inspired and learn from one another.
- Collaboration with the Williamstown Film Festival.
Contact Info:
- Personal Homepage
- Mailing Address: Bronfman Science Center 215A, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267
- Email: Edward.B.Burger@williams.edu
- Phone: 413-597-2454