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John Meier, Chief Executive Officer of the American Mathematical Society

The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Notices or the AMS.

In the summer of 1988, the American Mathematical Society hosted the AMS Centennial Celebration, a conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Society. I was in graduate school at the time, and my effort in making the road trip to Rhode Island was rewarded by a fascinating range of mathematics presented in the invited addresses. The most memorable presentation, for me, was given by Bill Thurston. It was an engaging talk on three-dimensional geometry and topology that took to heart the organizing committee’s guidance “to give talks of a nature that can be understood by a general mathematical audience, surveying the motives, paradigms, and prospects of major areas of contemporary mathematical research.” Thurston’s talk is one of the moments I point to that led me to work in the emerging field of geometric group theory. (The other two were reading through Jean-Pierre Serre’s Trees and Ken Brown’s draft manuscript for his book Buildings.) Thurston’s address also reinforced my belief in the importance of presenting mathematics in a clear, engaging, and motivating manner.

I remembered Thurston’s talk in the midst of my interview for the chief executive officer position with the American Mathematical Society, and mentioned it in my interview as an example of the impact that the work done by the Society has on the field of mathematics and on individual mathematicians. As I write this note, I have just finished my first month as the chief executive officer of the AMS and I have been delighted by the reminders of the AMS Centennial Celebration here in the headquarters of the Society. In the lobby of our building is a sculpture by Helaman Ferguson that the Mathematics Association of America gifted the AMS on the occasion of the Centennial; that same sculpture is featured in the conference poster that hangs on a wall here in Providence; and there is a copy of the program book in my new office.

It would involve something akin to creative writing for me to claim that there was a simple, straight path that led me from being a graduate student attending Thurston’s talk to taking up this role. The route was certainly less direct and intentional than that. I am one of those mathematicians who never believed that one must choose between a dedication to research and a dedication to teaching. New discoveries in mathematics are important; so is describing mathematical research in a manner that allows the audience to gain some insight into the work; and so is teaching mathematics in a manner that is inspiring. These are all themes that the AMS has and continues to support.

When I was a “midcareer” mathematician I was recruited into academic administrative roles, concluding with service as the provost at Lafayette College. While I understood how my administrative work supported students’ learning and the creation of knowledge, there was little direct connection between my work and the field of mathematics. Taking a position with the American Mathematical Society feels like something of a homecoming. I am delighted to serve as the AMS’s chief executive officer, helping to advance mathematical research and supporting the mathematical community.

I am mission-driven and the mission of the American Mathematical Society is important and inspirational, and is aligned with my own beliefs. Picking out some items from our mission statement, I would note that the promotion of mathematical research and its communication certainly aligns with my memory of Thurston’s address in 1988, and AMS meetings have provided me with dozens of opportunities to present and learn mathematics. The AMS mission also highlights fostering an appreciation for mathematics, promoting the transmission of mathematical skills, facilitating the full participation of all individuals, and supporting mathematical education, each of which is closely related to my belief in the importance of presenting mathematics in a clear, engaging, and motivating manner. So, while there isn’t exactly a straight line from attending the AMS’s Centennial Celebration to my current position at the AMS, there certainly are a number of themes that have been consistent over three-dozen years.

In addition to realizing that this is important work that is consistent with factors that have motivated me for a long time, I have to also say that there is a lot of joy to be found in this position. While I have only been in the role for a month, it has been a month filled with conversations with my wonderful colleagues who work at the AMS, with individuals from our many sister organizations, and with a large and dedicated group of mathematicians who serve on the 100+ committees of the AMS. And quite unlike my previous administrative work, every day I have had a moment when I can join with colleagues in a celebration of the beauty to be found in the mathematical sciences.

John Meier

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Credits

Photo of John Meier is courtesy of Adam Atkinson, Lafayette College.