EIU brings “method” to mathematical madness November 6, 7
Nov-04-2025Events at EIU’s Charleston, Illinois campus to feature Google engineer, former EIU professor David Cook
(Charleston, IL) — Eastern Illinois University’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will host two thought-provoking talks by Google software engineer and former EIU professor Dr. David Cook II on November 6–7, 2025.
About the Speaker:
Dr. David Cook II earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Tennessee Tech University and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky, specializing in combinatorial algebra. After postdoctoral work at the University of Notre Dame and two years as an assistant professor at EIU, he joined Google in 2016, where he now develops large-scale software infrastructure.
Event 1: “Much Ado About Summing: For There Is Method In’t”
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
West Reading Room, Booth Library (1961 4th St., Charleston, IL)
How do mathematicians count what can’t be seen? In this engaging introduction to combinatorial reasoning, Dr. Cook reveals how tile patterns, card choices, and clever logic uncover order within mathematical chaos.
Event 2: “The Taming of the Lattices”
Friday, November 7, 2025 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Room 2231, Old Main (600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL)
Discover how mathematicians use determinants—a tool from linear algebra—to count complex geometric patterns and lozenge tilings. This unique perspective shows how elegant algebraic methods can tame even the most tangled mathematical structures.
Both events are free and open to the public and are part of the Perry Lecture Series, made possible by an endowment from former EIU president and professor emeritus Dr. William Perry.
For more information about EIU’s Math and Computer Science Department, visit eiu.edu/math.
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU's other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's public information office at (217) 581-7400.
