Lessons that Really Count (Jennifer Quinn) - MAA MathFest 2023

Saturday, August 5, 2023 MAA MathFest 2023 MAA President Retiring Address Lessons that Really Count Jennifer Quinn, University of Washington Tacoma Reflection is an important practice to make sense of and grow from any experience—big or small. Whether attending a meeting, teaching a class, writing an article, leading an organization, or adapting to a pandemic, there are lessons to be learned. For this talk, I take stock of some important lessons inspired by a life in combinatorics. Biography: Dr. Jennifer Quinn is a professor of mathematics at the University of Washington Tacoma. She earned her BA, MS, and PhD from Williams College, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin, respectively. Her first academic position was at Occidental College, where she rose through the ranks to full professor and chaired the department. At UW Tacoma for the past 15 years, she has helped build a mathematics curriculum on the expanding campus. Jenny has held many positions of national leadership in mathematics including Executive Director of the Association for Women in Mathematics, co-editor of MAA’s Math Horizons, and several positions on the MAA Board of Directors (and its predecessor, the Executive Council). She received an MAA Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching and a Beckenbach Book award for Proofs That Really Count: The Art of Combinatorial Proof, co-authored with Arthur Benjamin. As a combinatorial scholar, Jenny thinks that beautiful proofs are as much art as science. Simplicity, elegance, transparency, and fun should be the driving principles. As President of MAA 2021-22, Jenny worked to do what was needed when it was needed to keep MAA strong and build community during pandemic isolation. Serving as President was a highlight of her professional career. Every summer, MAA MathFest presents the latest in mathematical research and education to diverse audiences across the nation. As the largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts, MAA is proud to bring an interactive, accessible, and informative experience to you this year.