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Contrary
to popular opinion, Pete Ludovice is out to prove
that members of the Georgia Tech community do
have a sense of humor. In fact, his self-diagnosed
mid-life crisis sort of depends on it.
Dubbed
Dr. Ludicrous by his students, Ludovice has been
moonlighting for the past nine months as a stand-up
comic. He calls his style “nerd humor,”
a niche he explores in much the same way that
Jeff Foxworthy speaks to a blue-collar ethic.
As
the faculty advisor for the T-Book,
an online resource to help Tech freshmen get a
handle on their new surroundings, Ludovice parlayed
his newest passion into fundraising opportunities,
organizing two comedy events in support.
Though
humor has always been a part of his academic milieu,
Ludovice finds that this new endeavor requires
exercising different muscles. He’s used
to performing in front of a crowd, but admits
that “comedic timing is very different from
the timing we typically use for academic lectures.” |
Name: Peter J. Ludovice
Age: 42
Occupation: Associate Professor in
the School of
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Job description: I try to teach and
do research while avoiding the committees and bureaucracy
that prevent me from doing the former. I do research
in the molecular simulation of synthetic and biological
macromolecules. I find that giving a talk, class or
workshop in this field often requires a bit of humor
to keep people awake.
What I find most rewarding about my job:
Dealing with students, faculty and staff. Both the graduate
and undergraduate students never cease to amaze me with
their energy and curiosity. Many of my colleagues and
I are frightened by the students that are here for some
reason other than to get an education, but the motivated
ones really make it worthwhile. I do a lot of jokes
about engineering nerds in my act, but truthfully the
nerdy faculty here are my favorite people. I am continuously
amazed by the patience of the staff and their ability
to put up with faculty whose job description is to be
permanent “know-it-alls.”
What I find most challenging about my job:
Dealing with the bureaucracy. Many of the service units
at Tech seem to think that the research and education
units serve them. I think they lose sight of the fact
that education and research are our primary missions
here. There are some notable exceptions like the Library
and the Music Department.
Years at Tech: 11
Education: B.S. in chemical engineering,
University of Illinois (1984); Ph.D. in chemical engineering,
MIT (1989).
Hobbies: Jazz trumpet, golf, hockey,
ultimate frisbee, scuba diving and stand-up comedy.
The last book I read for pleasure:
“How To Be a Working Comic,” by Dave Schwensen.
Another occupation I’d like to try: I’ll
say stand-up comic, because I believe my current comedy
schedule (see www.drludicrous.com)
is more of a mid-life crisis than an occupation. However,
I have my first paying gig this month as the emcee for
Gramma Lee, the 70-year-old grandmother who appeared
on “Last Comic Standing.” I don’t
plan on quitting my day job any time soon, but my wife
likes comedy as a mid-life crisis because it’s
cheaper than a sports car and safer than a motorcycle.
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. I have
been scuba diving for more than 20 years. I have lots
of boring underwater pictures to which I would like
to add some of Great White Sharks.
The best advice I ever received: My
Ph.D. advisor once told me, “You slur the letters
R and S a bit, they think you are from Europe and they
think you know what you’re talking about.”
OK, maybe that is not the best advice I have received
but it is among the funniest.
One talent I would most like to have:
The ability to draw. My 9-year-old daughter draws better
than I do.
What I consider my greatest accomplishment:
My ability to have a family that is close to
normal when my own family was more than a bit dysfunctional.
My most treasured possession: The
things I treasure most aren’t possessions.
My day would not be complete without:
Making someone laugh.
What I most value in my friends: Honesty.
My friends are pretty good about telling me when I do
something stupid.
My motto: If you can’t be funny,
funny-looking is almost as good.
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