AMS Activities at the 2009 Joint Mathematics Meetings

The AMS exhibits included books, journals, gifts, posters, calendars, membership information, and demonstrations of AMS Author Resources. Meeting participants were invited to Meet the Notices Editors gathering on Tuesday, and "GSM Day" was celebrated in the book exhibit area on Wednesday. Editors from Mathematical Reviews® (MR) introduced the 2010 MSC scheme, AMS Book Editors met with authors, and both MR and the AMS Publisher hosted receptions. The AMS Washington DC Office hosted the Workshop for Department Chairs, and the AMS also hosted the annual Banquet for AMS Members at which recent AMS Presidents toasted retiring Executive Director John Ewing and recognized AMS member Chandler Davis, whojoined the Society in 1948. Many of the participants in the 2008 Mathematics Research Communities attended JMM 2009, where they had the opportunity to organize special sessions, attend a focus group and re-connect with their fellow MRC colleagues and mentors. AMS Public Awareness Officer Mike Breen hosted Who Wants to Be a Mathematician for local high school students.

In the AMS Membership exhibit area

On Tuesday the AMS hosted a Meet the Notices Editors informal gathering in the AMS Membership exhibit area. Participants were invited to meet with Editor Andy Magid, incoming Editor Steve Krantz (as of September 2009 to start serving on the January 2010 issue), Deputy Editor Allyn Jackson, and Managing Editor Sandy Frost. Readers and authors had an opportunity to find out how Notices is produced, give their feedback, offer suggestions, and get information on how to submit articles and book reviews. A poster featuring many of the Notices covers and a magnet commemorating Notices and the Washington DC meeting were given away to visitors at the Membership booth.

Another highlight in the AMS Membership booth was the daily Undergraduate Student Challenge. Each day undergraduates submitted the answer to the "question of the day" that was posed on a whiteboard, and the following day five winners were chosen from among those with the correct answer. Their prize bag included Assistantships & Graduate Fellowships in the Mathematical Sciences and small gifts including a Stabucks gift card. The annual daily planners, 2009 Calendar of Mathematical Imagery, Mathematics Awareness Month "Mathematics and Climate" theme poster were among the popular giveaways to all visitors. Also, individuals took the opportunity to join the Society or renew their AMS membership.

--- Annette Emerson, AMS Public Awareness Officer

GSM Day

The AMS Publications exhibit featured publications from the Graduate Studies in Mathematics (GSM) book series on Wednesday. Throughout the meeting hundreds of AMS titles were on display and for sale. AMS Publisher Sergei Gelfand and Senior Editors Ed Dunne and Ina Mette were on hand to meet with current and prospective authors, and hosted a reception for authors.

AMS 25-Year Member Banquet

The 2009 AMS 25-Year Member Banquet was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Thursday evening, January 8, 2009. The event was attended by a large number of past AMS Presidents, who each gave a brief talk honoring outgoing AMS Executive Director John Ewing. AMS Presidents attending included Past Presidents James Arthur, Cathleen Morawetz, Arthur Jaffe and David Eisenbud; current President James Glimm; and President Elect George Andrews, whose term begins February 1, 2009. Their remarks highlighted many of the strengths and successes of John Ewing's 13 years as Executive Director, and expressed deep appreciation for his tireless efforts to move the Society into a stable and meaningful future. Also on hand were past Executive Director William (Bus) Jaco and incoming Executive Director Donald McClure.

The longest-term member attending the banquet was Harvey Cohn (member since 1942), but because he had won the award in 2003, the award went to Chandler Davis, whose AMS membership began in 1948. Dr. Ewing entertained the attendees by quizzing each decade's worth of 25 year members with mathematical history questions written by another former AMS President, Peter Lax, who was unable to attend. Few attendees could begin to match Peter Lax's knowledge, but as usual, Dr. Ewing made the evening a lively and entertaining one, enjoyed by all.

--- Diane Boumenot, Manager of Membership & Programs

Department Chairs Workshop

The AMS Meetings & Conferences Department again managed the Joint Math Meetings registration logistics, and the AMS and MAA co-sponsored the Graduate School Fair.

More highlights of the 2009 Joint Mathematics Meetings.