On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Department of Mathematics welcomed Dr. Art Benjamin 2025-26 Clanton Visiting Mathematician speaker. There was an afternoon colloquium talk and also a well-attended, general-audience presentation in the evening; both fascinating and entertaining.
Dr. Arthur Benjamin is the Smallwood Family Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and the Visiting Professor for Public Outreach at the National Museum of Mathematics. He is also a professional magician, and in his entertaining and fast-paced performance, Dr. Benjamin will demonstrate how to mentally add and multiply numbers faster than a calculator, and other amazing feats of mind.
Dr. Benjamin has been repeatedly honored by the Mathematical Association of America for his teaching and writing, and was selected by Princeton Review as one of The Best 300 Professors in America. He is also a grandmaster in backgammon and is in the American Backgammon Hall of Fame.
Dr. Benjamin has given three TED talks which have been viewed over 50 million times. He has demonstrated and explained his calculating talents to audiences all over the world and has appeared on numerous television programs, including The Today Show, CNN, and The Colbert Report. He has been featured in Scientific American, Omni, Discover, People, Esquire, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Reader’s Digest. Reader’s Digest calls him “America’s Best Math Whiz.”
AFTERNOON COLLOQUIUM
GAMES YOU CAN’T LOSE: THE MATHEMATICS OF SCAMS AND HUSTLES
Abstract: For entertainment and educational purposes only. Audience members are discouraged from applying these methods to nefariously win money from unsuspecting friends or enemies!
4:00 p.m.
Townes Science Center, Patrick Lecture Hall
EVENING PRESENTATION
MATHEMAGICS! & SECRETS OF MENTAL MATH
Abstract: Dr. Arthur Benjamin is the author of popular mathematics books, including Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician’s Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks. In this talk he will demonstrate his mathemagical abilities and will inform and enlighten us about his tricks and techniques. You will be amazed at the lightning quick calculations and feats and mathematical agility and may even be inspired to master some of them yourself!
8:00 p.m.
Younts Conference Center, Shaw Hall
DONALD H. CLANTON
Donald H. Clanton received his undergraduate education at Mars Hill College and Baylor University and his Ph.D. degree from Auburn University.
Don joined the mathematics department at Furman in 1962 and served as chair from 1976-1985. Throughout his career at Furman, he worked to improve the curriculum and staff of the mathematics department and to strengthen the ties between the university and the high schools in the state. He was an active member of the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
All who knew Don Clanton remember him as a sincere friend whose advice and encouragement were dependable and valuable. He generously gave of his time, his possessions and himself. Many students and colleagues benefitted from his unfailing cheerfulness, ever-present wit and genuine warmth. All of these factors strongly influenced a broad range of associates and a generation of students.
In order to continue to benefit the Furman community and to honor Don’s memory, his colleagues, friends and family established the Donald H. Clanton Visiting Mathematician program. The purpose of this program is to bring internationally recognized mathematicians to the Furman campus to present lectures and seminars and to visit informally with students and faculty. Contact with these individuals serves to enrich the mathematical experience at Furman.