“If you can obtain a simple result in a complicated
way, you should be able to obtain that simple result
in a simple way.”
A Tribute to
Professor
G.M.L.
Gladwell
The 9th International Conference
on Inverse Problems in Engineering
(ICIPE), hosted by the University
of Waterloo, was held in honour of
Professor Graham Gladwell, FRSC,
who sadly passed away on March 11th
of this year.
AS A MATHEMATICIAN would say,
Professor Graham Gladwell was my
academic father. Somehow, this is
much more accurate than saying he
was simply my PhD supervisor. Upon
his passing, I have been engulfed by a
flood of memories with strong feelings of
respect, affection, and gratitude.
Perhaps of greatest impact was the
Gladwellian rule: “If you can obtain a
simple result in a complicated way,
you should be able to obtain that
simple result in a simple way.” I can
still hear his voice ringing with this
message phrased so poetically. Now
that I look back on my 26 years as a
faculty member at the University of
Saskatchewan, I realiz e how many of
my own contributions have sprung from
this lesson.
It was from Professor Gladwell that I
especially learned how mathematical
thinking could permeate every facet
of a person’s life. During one of many
visits to the Gladwells’ lovely home in
the country, the after-dinner activity
included a board game called Chaos.
In this game, each player must keep
track of an evolving, mind-stretching
pattern of checkers. Prof. Gladwell
suggested that each of us play the
pieces for two players. I felt like my
mental capacity was being tested.
During the game, Professor Gladwell
was calm and collected, smoothly
and rapidly making each move. I was
sweaty, intense, and apprehensive,
pushing my brain to full capacity.
We completed our final moves in
succession. Professor Gladwell got up,
looked refreshed, and said, “a tie, what
fun”.
I could go on with more anecdotes
involving math challenges and lessons,
but I would like to focus the remainder
of this tribute on what I consider
to be one of Professor Gladwell’s
greatest attributes. He was perhaps
the most open-minded academic
I have ever encountered. His high
standard of excellence for himself and
others did not rely on adherence to
a particular style or a pre-conceived
set of superficial rules; his criteria
were pure and fundamental – clear,
concise descriptions and flawlessly
logical arguments. Beyond these
cognitive pillars, he was open to
various approaches and paths. So
often I would hear Graham firmly but
fairly challenge other academics to be
clear and informative. Upon hearing a
meaningful response, he was receptive
and gracious without fail.
In closing, let me say that I can still
hear the melodic humming of Prof.
Gladwell down the hallway at the
University of Waterloo. It’s as if his
“work” was an ongoing piece of
beautiful classical music which filled
his soul with joy and satisfaction.
Thankfully, this symphony will continue
and flourish – through his many
wonderful papers, his graduate and
undergraduate students, and everyone
who has had the pleasure of his
company.
— Allan T. Dolovich
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