History of Mathematics Has New SIGMAA

History of Mathematics Has New SIGMAA

By Herbert E. Kasube

The History of Mathematics SIGMAA, known as HOMSIGMAA, is the newest Special Interest Group within the MAA. In November 2001, the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs approved the formation the new SIGMAA. The first meeting of HOMSIGMAA took place on Tuesday, January 8, 2002 at 5:00 p.m., at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Diego. The more than 50 historians and mathematicians in attendance engaged in a wide-ranging discussion of the goals and activities of the new group. An interim executive committee for 2002 was elected, and a nominating committee was chosen to aid in the election of HOMSIGMAA's first regular executive committee later in 2002. The business portion of the meeting was followed by a wine and cheese reception, sponsored by the MAA.

The interim executive committee of HOMSIGMAA. From left to right: Victor Katz, Amy Shell,
Fred Rickey, Rob Bradley, and Herb Kasube. (Photo by Tom Drucker)

2002 is a transitional year for HOMSIGMAA. Towards the end of the year, we will elect our first executive committee in accordance with the provisions of our charter. In the meantime, our interim executive committee is as follows:

Chair: Fred Rickey (United States Military Academy)
Membership Coordinator: Amy Shell (United States Military Academy)
Program Coordinator: Victor Katz (University of the District of Columbia)
Electronic Resources Coordinator: Rob Bradley (Adelphi University)
Secretary/Treasurer: Herb Kasube (Bradley University)

HOMSIGMAA plans to sponsor numerous activities such as contributed paper sessions and panel discussions at various meetings of MAA and other organizations. If you have any suggestions, please contact any of the members of the executive committee.

Joining HOMSIGMAA is simple. When you renew your MAA membership there will be a space to check to join HOMSIGMAA. If your current renewal form does not have HOMSIGMAA listed, simply add it to the space for SIGMAAs This adds an additional $10.00 to your dues. If you have already renewed for 2002, you can either send $10.00 to MAA and tell them that you want it applied to membership in HOMSIGMAA, go to MAA Online and download a membership form, or (this is the easiest way.) call the MAA Service Center at (800) 331-1622 and give them the information over the phone.

For more information about HOMSIGMAA please contact one of the members of the executive committee. There is also a HOMSIGMAA website at http://www.adelphi.edu/bradley/HOMSIGMAA/