The Department of Mathematics invites you to hear about a captivating story of history, mathematics and personal triumph.
Join us for a special public lecture by Nathaniel Whitaker, a distinguished professor and head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UMass Amherst:
Unscripted: A Mathematical Journey through Segregation and Hidden Figures
- Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2025
- Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
- Location: Cordley 1316
Professor Whitaker will share his remarkable journey from growing up in a segregated Virginia to becoming a leading research mathematician of African descent. Set against the backdrop of Virginia's massive resistance to integration, his story intersects with the community depicted in the book and subsequent film, Hidden Figures.
Whitaker's path led him to become the head of a major research mathematics and statistics department — and the dean of a prominent research university. He’ll also provide an accessible overview of his research in fluid mechanics and mathematical biology.
This event is an excellent opportunity for students, faculty and the broader community to better understand the intersection of mathematics, history and social justice.
