August 3 Day 878: MAA MathFest Day 1—Let the Celebration Begin

Posted byJenny QuinnPosted inMAA, mathematicsTags:, , ,

MathFest is off to a great start.

The MAA Congress met in person for the first time since MathFest 2019 in Cincinnati. Most Congress members had only met over Zoom. We learned how much the MAA has accomplished during that time (the last year in particular), and began thinking about setting new strategic goals for the association. The meeting was long but Chair of the Congress, Edray Goins, did a masterful job of keeping us focused and engaged.

Congress moved through timed learning stations to find out more about MAA Councils and Committees.

The first event on the schedule was Math Jeopardy run by Ron Taylor and Timothy Goldberg. The room was overflowing with prospective contestants. They showed their enthusiasm in the video below.

Countdown to Math Jeopardy!

After that it was time to meet MAA Award winners for official photos on the red carpet before the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening. I welcomed everyone to the meeting, premiered the MAA Award video, and gave the celebratory toast.

To the MAA Award winners-
Thank you for your creativity, honesty, accountability, and labor. Your work moves us one step closer to a society that values the power and beauty of mathematics and fully realizes its potential to promote human flourishing. Congratulations on your achievements.
May every day bring more joyful mathematics than yesterday. Cheers.

Math Jeopardy hosts Ron Taylor and Timothy Goldberg (FYI Ron and Patrick Rault won the Beckenbach book prize)
In the MAA Pavilion. View from the microphone towards the red carpet.
Barbara Faires, winner of the Gung & Hu.
Red carpet photo with Executive Director Michael Pearson and Secretary Cindy Wyels.
The Pavilion was starting to get crowded.
With 3/4 of the Euler Book Award team, Allison Henrich, Matthew Pons, and Dave Taylor.
Dear friends Su Doree and Frank Farris.
First time meeting my pandemic friend Lauren Rose.
Selfie with the Curious Cubers Isabella Quan, Luke Robitaille, and Holden Mai (Check them out maa-amc.org/curiouscube.)

If you are interested in reading more about the MAA prize winners, visit the online award booklet.

Published by Jenny Quinn

Mathematician. Mother. Wife. Leader. I am the Executive Director of Seattle Universal Math Museum after many years working as a professor of mathematics at the University of Washington Tacoma. Mother of Anson and Zachary. Wife to Mark. President of the Mathematical Association of America 2021-2022. Past-President of MAA 2023.

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