Events this Spring!

There is a common impression that a graduating senior’s life is easy. Many people think you can simply relax without a care in the world until it’s time to start a job or head to graduate school.

To me, that sounded a bit boring, and I wanted a different path. Fortunately, my peers in the department shared my enthusiasm for staying active, which led to the creation of the first Williams College AWM Symposium. In early March, we had the pleasure of hosting over 80 attendees and two plenary speakers. While the logistics and preparation required a great deal of effort, the board and our supervisor, Prof. Christina Athanasouli, did a fantastic job pulling everything together. Although I couldn’t be there in person, I am incredibly proud to be part of the team that made this happen, and I hope this wonderful event continues for years to come.

Another highlight was the revival of a tradition lost a decade ago: the Green Chicken Contest. Historically a math competition between Middlebury and Williams, the Student in Mathematics Advisory Board decided to bring it back with a twist. This year, we invited four colleges (Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, and Smith) and swapped traditional college teams for mixed teams assigned on the spot. As an organizer, it was rewarding to host an informal event that combined problem-solving with a showcase of our campus community. As a participant, I had a blast solving problems and getting to know students from departments similar to ours. While the "Green Chicken" trophy went home with Middlebury this time, I hope Williams students get the chance to visit them for a friendly competition next year!