End-of-Semester Events

With the middle of the semester often comes a retreat from social activities in order to focus on exams, homework, grading, and the like. But, with the end of the semester comes celebration of things accomplished, anticipation of free time with friends and family, and... well... food! Check out these two end-of-semester events occurring this week:

1. The Math Department Holiday Dinner. Great food, great colleagues, a festive atmosphere - what more could you want? This year's Holiday Dinner is Wednesday (December 8) from 11 AM - 3 PM in the Conference Room. You can sign up at Cristin's desk with what type of food you are planning to bring. It's always fun to see what others bring (and get new ideas for your own holiday treats!) and to simply take a break from finals preparation to relax with the entire department.

2. Women in Math Brown-Bag Lunch. This event is NOT limited to females. All who support women in mathematics at OU are welcome! The brown-bag lunch is Thursday (December 9) from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM in the Conference Room. No need to sign up; just bring your own lunch and enjoy the camaraderie.

Happy Holidays to all from MGSA!

Who Wants to Be a Mathematician?

Next week, Dr. Christine Jerritts will be in the department to give some "crazy career advice" based on her own unique professional path. Dr. Jerritts worked in the finance industry after completing her Ph.D. After that, she started her own consulting company, Imagine Math! You can check out the company here. She also drives race cars - how cool is that?

Her talk will be Wednesday, September 29 at 5:00 PM in PHSC 1105 as a joint meeting of the Graduate Student Seminar and the Math Club. Yes, there will be pizza. More information and an abstract are available on the Math Club blog. Dr. Jerritts will also be meeting with the Women in Math group at lunchtime (11:45-1:30, come and go as needed) on Wednesday in the Math Department Lounge. (The Women in Math group welcomes everyone supportive of women in mathematics at OU. Feel free to bring a lunch or talk to Dr. Kornelson about a lunch order for that day.)

AWM Workshop (deadline soon!)

Attention, Ladies:

If you are a postdoc or are nearing the end of your graduate studies, you are eligible to apply to the AWM workshop. This is a workshop held at the Joint Meetings of the AMS/MAA, which is in New Orleans this year (January 2011). The workshop provides a great opportunity to get to present your work and to meet lots of other women mathematicians, plus they pay for your expenses to go to the meeting!

The deadline to apply is EARLY! It is coming up on August 15. Dr. Kornelson (our resident AWM expert) has encouraged applications and has generously offered to discuss the workshop with anyone who stops by.

You can find out more by clicking here.