Mark Woodard

 

 

 

Hi. I'm Mark Woodard. I've been a faculty member in the mathematics department at Furman for 36 years. This is my second time running this study away with Dr. Millichap -- I became interested in doing this during Dr. Millichap's interview at Furman -- he described his vision for this trip and all I could think is "I WANT TO GO WITH YOU!"

I grew up as the son of a math professor, and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate. Then (to make things even more confusing) I attended graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana for my MS and PhD. I came straight from Bloomington to Furman -- this is really the only job I've ever had.

Hobbies outside of mathematics/cryptology/Furman include chasing around my grandchildren (I have grandboys aged 6 and 4 and a granddaughter who is 20 months.) I also help my wife take care of 4 horses, some chickens, and about 6 stray cats, and the 35 acres we live on. My two daughters are both Furman grads (One in English, one in Health Science) but somehow I ended up with two Clemson Sons-in-Law.

While the whole trip in 2023 was a highlight for me, I most enjoyed Bletchley Park, Dover,  and the Churchill War Rooms. I also really enjoyed being a "penny stinker" during a production of "The Comedy of Errors" -- even if it is hard for me to stand for that long! (Advice to students -- don't try to learn against the stage -- you'll get reprimanded.)

This time I am looking forward to the trip to Cambridge (I have never punted) , another production at the Globe (It's Romeo and Juliet this time!), and exploring the parts of London I haven't been to yet (including the Tate Museum, Greenwich, and maybe a day trip to Brighton). I have downloaded a few walks from Ramblers.org.uk.

As a big fan of food, I am also looking forward to consuming some fish and chips, sausage rolls, doner kebab, biryani, curry, and Korean Fried Chicken. I also love the open-air food markets -- there is a really good one near the IES Abroad building on Leather Lane.