An ODE to Adam McBride
Professor Adam McBride OBE has inspired a generation of Mathematicians at Strathclyde, across Scotland and beyond. His enthusiasm for the subject is still incredible at the age of 70!
I was privileged to be invited by Adam and Ellen to an intimate 70th birthday bash in an appropriately-selected Edinburgh location where I provided a poetic tribute, delivered on OHP, to the great man.
Regrettably, I don’t have video footage, but here is the “ODE” in full- hopefully you’ll enjoy it as much as the guests did on the big day!
Happy birthday, Adam!
Today’s the ideal opportunity for us to bear in mind
What it is that makes Adam C. McBride one of a kind
He’s been utterly inspiring to me and hunners more
Enthusiastic, brilliant…You guys here all ken the score.
The art of communication has suffered some disjoint:
The last twa’ decades we’ve encountered death by powerpoint.
Oor Adam won’t be tempted by swooshing text and animations
He’s got his trusty OHP to entertain the nations.
With pens and slides he’d bring to life some beautiful old theories
And bamboozle almost everyone with “Sequences and Series”
Generations of Strathclyders know exactly what they want
His unique distinctive handwriting as an “Adam McBride” font!
There’s no question that the Professor’s got his own inimitable style
On his quest to help folk out he’ll go the extra mile.
Strathclyde, UKMT, SMC, IMOn and schools both near and far
Are indebted for the input of this Maths-world superstar.
He’s aye aff gallavanting on endless Mathsy tours
It’d take a special companion to while away the hours
While Adam’s in at umpteen schools n”MATHS IS BEST” is what he’s telling.
Thankfully he’s got his sidekick, the ever patient, natural “ln”
What a week fir birthdays…celebrating with Adam and the Queen
But as he’d want to clarify, there’s 20 years between.
The Queen of course, like everyone here, is quite the Adam-fan:n]
She awarded him the OBE. He deserves it- whit a man.
Adam really loves to golf- did you see his birdie on the third?
And although this may seem cryptic, nyou’ll never hear a cross word
From this classy gentleman who’s patient and can be counted on to choose
Not to get 2DOWN about solving all those clues.
The word “legend” is abused these days, too easily assigned.
But for Adam it seems fitting, like for him it’s been designed.
Today we mark his transition to the club septuagenarian
knowing that he likes steak “pi” too much to ever go vegetarian.
I’m sure, with me, you’d like to thank our host for this, his birthday do.
Adam, it’s an honour to have a friend like you.
You still live life at hectic pace- who knows what’s next in store?
But seventy years of excellence and here’s to many more.
*I thought I’d post this poem here since Adam is a massive Jiggered Ceilidh Band fan and has booked us for Maths functions a few times!