If you've had a general chemistry class at the UW-Madison, you probably know ""Jim the demo guy.""
Jim Maynard, 43, has been working as a lecture demonstrator in the UW Chemistry department since 2001.
Chemistry students have been taking notice of Maynard and his demos ever since he started.
He grew up in Stoughton, Wis., graduated from Stoughton High School and went to several military schools before receiving a bachelor's degree in chemistry at UW-Madison in 2000.
Maynard said that the UW was a last resort for him. He added that before he went to college, he worked in the submarine industry, a welder's union and an ice cream factory.
Maynard explained that he had talent for chemistry.
""I always wanted to be a scientist and wear lab coats,"" he said. ""My boyhood hero was Albert Einstein.""
Maynard has created chemistry demonstrations for over 65 professors while working for the UW. He said he finds new demos and teaches them to chemistry professors to use in their classes.
""We're like a full-service restaurant,"" he said, ""but we serve demos instead of food.""
""Sometimes professors like the demos and sometimes they don't,"" he added. ""My least favorite demo is a demo I can't make work.""
Maynard said he has seen many demonstration successes and failures since working at UW.
""You know, one time sulfur dioxide gas got released in the lecture hall a little bit,"" he said.
Sulfur dioxide is a toxic gas that is produced in volcanic eruptions.
Maynard said the risky demos can be fun, but he added, ""It's not about how dangerous a demo is—it's about safety. The point is to be focused on the chemistry, not scared that it's not safe.""
Besides creating demonstrations for professors, Maynard also makes demo movies for experiments that are too dangerous to perform in front of lectures or for high school chemistry classes.
Maynard said his job isn't always fun and games.
""My least favorite part is cleaning the blackboards,"" he said. This is when most chemistry students see Maynard.
""It's necessary,"" he added. ""We have to do it every period.""
How does Maynard feel about his celebrity status among chemistry students?
""Pretty embarrassed,"" he said. ""I mean, have you seen the stuff on Facebook? There's a Jim Maynard Appreciation Society.""
Facebook has at least one group dedicated to Maynard as well as one fake profile created by student admirers.
Maynard said he made his own Facebook profile to clear any rumors.
""That information is more accurate,"" he said.
Students' fascination with Maynard doesn't stop on Facebook.
""People want pictures with me,"" he said. ""I do pose for photos."" But he added, ""I've never been asked for my autograph by anyone over the age of seven.""
Maynard explained he wants students to know that he's a regular guy.
""I'm not a rock star or anything,"" he said. ""I'm actually pretty boring when you get to know me.""
Maynard may not be a rock star, but his favorite music includes Nirvana and Cypress Hill. His favorite science fiction movie is ""Real Genius,"" and, he added, his favorite chemical element is iron.
Maynard said he likes it the most because ""iron is a star killer."" He explained that if a star forms iron in its core, it will eventually die because of certain nuclear reactions.
""I get to learn chemistry inside and out at my job,"" Maynard added.
Maynard said he gets to learn a lot about the students, too.
""I recognize students from year to year, especially the ones in higher chemistry.""
Students also take note of Maynard's appearance from year to year, particularly his hairstyle.
As for the question on every current chemistry student's mind: Why did he cut off his long ponytail?
""My friend Dave Delach told me to not cut my hair until he came back from Iraq because it was my trademark,"" said Maynard, noting that Delach went to Iraq in 2005 with the military and returned to the United States in November 2006.
Maynard said he plans to keep performing demos for students and that he hopes to get a doctorate degree in chemistry. He added that he will be the incoming advisor for the Alpha chapter of the professional chemistry fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma.
Maynard said although he doesn't always understand students' fascination with him, he thinks highly of them.
""They're great,"" he said. ""We have some of the best in the world, especially at the undergraduate level.""
