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Cougar Query: "My favorite lecture to teach is demonstrating the mathematics behind soap bubbles and soap films"

Name: Michael Dorff

BYU employee since: 2000

My job at BYU is... mathematics professor and chair of the Mathematics Department.

Currently, I’m working on... being the next President of the Mathematical Association of America (he’s currently the president-elect).

michaeldorff600.jpg
Photo by BYU Arts

Having five daughters changed the way I view teaching because my daughters taught me to listen better and apply President Monson's quote, "Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."

What makes teaching the greatest job in the world is... that you can have a positive effect on students by sharing knowledge, wisdom and the Spirit.

My favorite lecture to teach is... demonstrating the mathematics behind soap bubbles and soap films.

The best-kept BYU secret is... the BYU Arts program that brings world-class performers to BYU at prices that are much less expensive than in other cities.

On Saturday mornings you’ll find me... going for a long run or working out on my rowing machine.

My favorite hobby is... sharing the twenty different flavors of Lindt chocolate truffles that I have in my office with visitors. BTW, I know all the flavors by heart even though I rarely eat chocolate since I am a Type 1 diabetic.

My favorite quote is... My students know that I love Christmas, and one of my favorite quotes is “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” –Calvin Coolidge

One item on my bucket list is... to write a novel.

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