Selected Highlights of the 2010 Joint Mathematics Meetings

The AMS hosted a Publications exhibit with hundreds of books on sale, and a Membership booth, where individuals came to renew their membership, join the Society, pick up a selection of complimentary calendars and posters, and find out about AMS programs for the profession. The booth included a "Question of the Day" for undergraduate and graduate students. The names of those who returned the correct answer were put in a box and three were picked at random to receive a bag of gifts. The Publications exhibit included a place where the AMS Acquisitions Editors met with current and prospective authors, and another section where individuals could meet the Mathematical Reviews® (MR) editors and learn what's new on MathSciNet. The AMS also hosted a Workshop for Department Chairs, a reception for book authors, an MR reception, and a brunch for recipients of JMM travel grants. The Grad School Fair was very well attended and there were lots of people at the AMS Member Banquet (see photos of both events below).

The first national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician game for high school students drew a crowd of Bay Area students, teachers, and Joint Mathematics Meetings attendees. The local ABC-TV affiliate KGO covered the game on its evening news. Read more about the game including photos, videos and media coverage.

Robert Bosch, Artist/Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, Oberlin College, has been awarded the Mathematical Art Exhibition First Prize for his work, "Embrace." Second Prize was awarded for "The Vase" (giclee Print. 18" x 14.8", 2009), by Harry Benke, Artist / Mathematician, Visual Impact Analysis LLC, Novato, CA, and Third Prize for "Meditations on f(x,y) = x²/2 + xy/2 - y⁴/8" (plastic and wood, two pieces, each 6"x7"x7", 1998), by Richard Werner, Mathematics Professor, Mathematics Department, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA. The Mathematical Art Exhibition Prize "for aesthetically pleasing works that combine mathematics and art" was established in 2008 through an endowment provided to the American Mathematical Society by an anonymous donor who wishes to acknowledge those whose works demonstrate the beauty and elegance of mathematics expressed in a visual art form. The 2010 Mathematics Art Exhibition, included juried works in various media by 62 artists.

The third annual Grad School Fair was held at the Moscone West Convention Center on Friday morning, January 15. Hundreds of undergrads filled the room to speak with representatives from 50 graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. Coffee and tea helped to wake the students up and the school representatives were pleased with the opportunity to meet so many talented students. --- Diane Boumenot, Manager, Membership and Programs

The Employment Center, held at the Moscone West Convention Center, offered many new features in 2010 including new electronic job and applicant information and interview scheduling. 83 employers and 730 applicants began their Employment Center experience in the fall as they registered online and contacted each other on the system. Over 1000 interviews were scheduled in advance on the new system, and many more were arranged privately through email.

After arriving in the Employment Center area, applicants could check their accounts on the system and, as their interview times approached, sit in the new applicant waiting area. Employers had access to their own lounge equipped with computers, printers and coffee, which helped to ease the noise level at the interview tables. Reactions to the first year of the electronic system were positive, and many noticed that the tension level throughout the area seemed diminished. The only major problem at the Employment Center was the decline in available jobs, a trend which is also apparent this year in other job services. The employers that did attend enjoyed the chance to speak with many fine applicants. --- Diane Boumenot, Manager, Membership and Programs

The AMS 25-Year Member Banquet was held on Saturday evening, January 16 in the Atrium at the San Francisco Marriott. The event was hosted by AMS Executive Director Donald McClure and featured an update about new AMS activities and programs such as Mathematics Research Communities, a program for young researchers. McClure read the names of those attending who had 25 years or more of AMS membership. The attendee with the longest membership history was Donald J. Lewis, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan, who has been a member of the AMS since 1946. It was a lively and enjoyable evening. --- Diane Boumenot, Manager, Membership and Programs