The Department of Mathematics & Statistics would like to welcome:
Dr. Gary Gordon on Tuesday, February 26 at 4:00pm in SCP 229.
Title: Moving Faces to Other Places: Facet Derangements
Abstract: Derangements are a popular topic in combinatorics classes. We study a generalization to face derangements of the n-dimensional hypercube. These derangements can be classified as odd or even, depending on whether the underlying isometry is direct or indirect, providing a link to abstract algebra. We emphasize the interplay between the geometry, algebra, and combinatorics of these sequences, with lots of pretty pictures. (I’ve attached his MAA paper for this talk.)
Dr. Gary Gordon is a Professor of Mathematics at Lafayette College. He received his B.A. from The University of Florida and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. His mathematical interests include combinatorics, geometry and algebra. Dr. Gordon co-authored an undergraduate textbook titled Matroids: A Geometric Approach, which examines matrices, networks, and their points of connection. Written in collaboration with Professor Jennifer McNulty of the University of Montana, the textbook offers undergraduates a depth of understanding in the practical aspects of matroids normally reserved for graduate students. Dr. Gordon also established Lafayette as a site for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), an elite program funded by the National Science Foundation.
It would be wonderful if you could encourage students to attend the talk. Also, Dr. Gordan will be fielding questions regarding Lafayette’s REU program at 3:30pm. Cheese and snacks will be provided.
Afterwards, we will be taking the speaker out to a $20 prix-fixe dinner at Yardley Inn. If you are interested in coming to dinner, please email me, leec@tcnj.edu.