Selected Highlights of the 2014 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Nearly 6,500 mathematicians, exhibitors and students came to the 2014 Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and Mathematical Association of America (MAA) in Baltimore, MD, January 15-18. Mathematicians presented work, met colleagues, mentors and new friends, attended the annual prize ceremony, and saw a wide range of exhibitors. Attendees and everyone interested in JMM could follow the meetings on JMM Twitter (@JointMath, hashtag #JMM14) and on JMM Facebook.
"It is a great and unique event that brings together the whole mathematics community spanning education, research, and other professional concerns. Thus, in one place, an attendee can find whatever and whoever they want."
Invited Addresses, Sessions and Panels
"It would be hard to choose a particular thing that I liked the most since this year’s meetings were so enjoyable but I think the choice of keynote speakers was spot on! After going to a full morning of intense talks it was nice to have a well-spoken, humorous, relaxing and yet still interesting talk to go to in the afternoon. Every single one I saw was absolutely enjoyable!"
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There were nearly 2,600 presentations on a wide range of mathematics and on mathematics education. See the JMM 2014 Blog, written by Tyler Clark (Editor-in-Chief, AMS Grad Student Blog), Anna Haesch (Duquesne University) and Adriana Salerno (Bates College); the photo slideshow above of sessions and the Porter lecture; and videos of the national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician awards luncheon and Mathematical Art Exhibition. View the entire program online.
"I always like the re-energizing effect that networking and hearing diverse talks have on me and my attitude towards my career."
Prizes & Awards Session and Reception
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The 2014 Prize Booklet contains citations of all the prizes and awards given during the Joint Prize Session, as well as biographies of and responses by the winners.
Exhibits & Sponsors
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The Grand Opening ribbon-cutting by AMS president David Vogan and MAA president Robert Devaney opened the way for attendees to see the products and services of 81 publishers, software companies, government agencies, professional organizations, and the Mathematical Art Exhibition, where awards were announced. Thank you to our sponsors for their valuable contributions to the meeting: Educational Advancement Foundation (aisle signs), Elsevier (relaxation center), Maplesoft (networking center), Pearson (lanyards), Springer (email lab), Taylor & Francis Group - CRC Press (bags), WebAssign (coffee station), and W. H. Freeman (note pads).
Mathematical Art Exhibition and Awards
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The Mathematical Art Exbhibition again drew many to view works in all media. Organizer Robert Fathauer and SIGMAA (MAA's Special Interest Group on Mathematics and the Arts) hosted a reception at which the 2014 Mathematical Art Exhibition Awards were announced "for aesthetically pleasing works that combine mathematics and art." "Enigmatic Plan of Inclusion I & II," by Conan Chadbourne was awarded Best photograph, painting, or print; "Three-Fold Development," by Robert Fathauer was awarded Best textile, sculpture, or other medium; and "Blue Torus," by Faye E. Goldman received Honorable Mention. See the press release for images and descriptions of these works and for information about the award. See a video of George Hart leading participants in assembling a mathematical sculpture he designed.
Graduate School Fair
See a slideshow of the Graduate School Fair that drew over 50 schools and more than 300 undergraduates.
Employment Center
See a summary of the 2014 Employment Center, where employers conducted in-person interviews for positions in the mathematical sciences.
AMS Activities at JMM
The AMS hosted exhibits, receptions (AMS Fellows, Math Reviews and AMS Authors), the national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician game, and many volunteers organized and presented on AMS Special Sessions across many areas of mathematical sciences at JMM, the Society's annual national meeting. The AMS Council and various committees also held their meetings at JMM.
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- AMS Publications exhibit, featuring AMS books by prize winners, special sales, and a chance to meet the AMS publisher Sergie Gelfand, Acquisitions Editors Ed Dunne and Ina Mette, Math Reviews editor-in-chief Grame Fairweather and editor Norman Richert, and AMS book authors.
- AMS Membership & Programs exhibit, where students could learn about AMS Student Chapters, and anyone could join or renew membership, meet staff, find information on programs, services and upcoming AMS Activity Groups.
- AMS Department Chairs Workshop
- National Who Wants to Be a Mathematician game, where Vivek Miglani, a junior from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, won the $10,000 Grand Prize to split with his high school.
- AMS Fellows Reception, where past and newly-named Fellows gathered
- "Celebrating Connection & Collaboration" AMS Dinner, where over 200 enjoyed seeing old friends, making new friends, entering the raffle, having their photos taken, and hearing remarks of AMS president David Vogan and executive director Donald McClure.
Students played a big part in the 2014 Joint Mathematics Meetings, with 1,902 registered to present posters, attend talks, explore graduate school programs, play Plinko in the AMS exhibit, relax in the Student Hospitality Center, and connect with others in their area of interest at receptions and sessions. It is great to see a new generation of mathematicians attending JMM to learn and make connections.
"I got to meet a number of other students studying all over in many different fields. It was interesting to witness the diversity of people and sub-disciplines."
MAA compiled a gallery of JMM 2014 photos on Flickr and invites more submissions.
The Association for Symbolic Logic, Association for Women in Mathematics, National Association of Mathematics, National Science Foundation, Pi Mu Epsilon, Rocky Mountain Mathematics Consortium, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Young Mathematicians Network and others held sessions, and hosted receptions and social events.
Save the dates of the 2015 meetings in San Antonio, TX, January 10 - 13 (Saturday - Tuesday).
See Highlights of the 2013 Joint Mathematics Meetings.
The Joint Mathematics Meetings are held for the purpose of advancing mathematical achievement, encouraging research, and providing the communication necessary for progress in the field. These meetings serve to preserve, supplement, and utilize the results of the research of mathematicians worldwide.
--- Annette Emerson, AMS Public Awareness Officer