Today was the first Monday of classes for the Autumn 2023 academic quarter at University of Washington. Wet and rainy, there was no doubt that summer was over. I enjoyed working with my students at UW Tacoma but was grateful for these sweet reminders of warmer, more relaxing times today. Prepared samples arrived from ourContinue reading “October 2 Day 1303: ICYMI Summer’s Sweet Successes”
Category Archives: MAA
August 9 Day 1249: Lessons That Really Count
What follows is a recap of my MAA Retiring President’s Address. It contains some slides, all the lessons, and hints at the proofs for identities. The drawings are my own. The title of my talk has its origins at a previous MathFest. Twenty years ago, I was invited to speak in Boulder, Colorado. This isContinue reading “August 9 Day 1249: Lessons That Really Count”
August 8 Day 1248: MAA MathFest 2023
I was so preoccupied during the recent MAA MathFest that I did not take time to write a post in the moment. Consider this a recap of the entire last week. If you have read any of my previous posts, you likely know that I love the Mathematical Association of America (the MAA). MathFest isContinue reading “August 8 Day 1248: MAA MathFest 2023”
June 4 Day 1183: NES/MAA Spring Recap
What a crazy, whirlwind end to the Spring quarter. Who thinks it’s a good idea to finish the last day of teaching with a red-eye to Boston in order to attend the Spring meeting of the Northeastern Section of the MAA? Apparently I did. And I still do. Arriving Friday at 6:30 am, I pickedContinue reading “June 4 Day 1183: NES/MAA Spring Recap”
May 19 Day 1167: Strategery Unlocked
The first day of the Spring Mathematical Association of America Board of Directors meeting was devoted to strategic planning—facilitated by Cara Parker of Cara Parker Consulting. We were engaged, focused, and productive. Sticky notes, flip charts, active meeting management. Time to think. Time to dream. Time to connect. Data, graphics, the works. It was everythingContinue reading “May 19 Day 1167: Strategery Unlocked”
April 15 Day 1133: You Know You Are A Mathematician When…
…your license plate equals -1. …you road trip from Arizona, across New Mexico, to El Paso with your friends to present your results on a Saturday morning. And you are excited to hear your advisor talk afterwards. …the audience for your contributed talk is filled with former students now successfully teaching in the math community.Continue reading “April 15 Day 1133: You Know You Are A Mathematician When…”
April 14 Day 1132: Southwestern Style
Today’s Spring meeting was sponsored by the Southwestern Section of the MAA and the New Mexico Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges. Geographically, the Southwestern MAA Section covers Arizona, New Mexico, and just a tiny part of Texas. The meeting was held at El Paso Community College—so Texas, here I am. Everything has been delightfulContinue reading “April 14 Day 1132: Southwestern Style”
March 18 Day 1105: Just a Regular Member
This weekend was the MAA Pacific Northwest Section Spring Meeting at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. We enjoyed clear warm weather and uplifting mathematical talks. Usually at MAA Section meetings I have one or more obligations—whether giving a talk, participating on a panel, running a workshop, or attending executive committee meetings. Today, I hadContinue reading “March 18 Day 1105: Just a Regular Member”
February 1 Day 1060: Return to…
Normal? I’m not sure we’ll ever get back there. But its closer to “life before.” Today was a big day. I officially became the Past-President of the Mathematical Association of America. I loved my time leading this organization for the past two years despite the wrench that the pandemic through into my plans. My successor,Continue reading “February 1 Day 1060: Return to…”
December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022
The last day of the year brings reflections on the past and hopes for the future. It was a good year with a rough start and a whirlwind finish. The delta and omicron strains of COVID required pivoting from our plans for a return to normal. But by summer, travel was back in full forceContinue reading “December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022”
Math Belongs to All of Us 