Special Sessions at MAA MathFest 2025 are lightly modified sequences of paper presentations on a themed mathematical topic. Session organizers are invited directly by the MAA to coordinate presentations on related themes, and sessions may conclude with a broader discussion, panel, activity, or demonstration to solicit greater attendee participation.

Please Note: All sessions will be at the SAFE Credit Union Sacramento Convention Center.
An asterisk (*) indicates the designated presenter of a paper with multiple authors.

Notable Events in the Histories of the 29 Sections of the MAA

Friday, August 8, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Meeting Room 11

This session will focus on the histories of MAA sections, highlighting significant events, key individuals, and important programming that have shaped the development of sections over time. With growing interest in historical documentation, exemplified by the success of the Indiana section’s special session at Mathfest 2024 and recent articles in FOCUS, this session aims to bring together scholars to share compelling, well-researched stories about their sections. Presentations should be grounded in historical documentation, offering both insight into the section's past and its broader significance in mathematics education.

We invite presentations that explore the history of a section, including but not limited to key historical events, influential individuals, and major programs such as journals or contests. Presenters may also discuss how their section records and preserves its history, though this will be a secondary focus. Talks that are rigorous, scholarly, and rooted in thorough research will be prioritized, with an emphasis on accessible storytelling that engages a broad audience. Presentations should reflect original historical research or critical expositions on archival material and documentation methods.  This session provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the growing body of work on MAA section histories and share valuable insights with the community.

Organizers:
Grace Cook, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
Rick Gillman, Valparaiso University

Sponsors:
SIGMAA on the History of Mathematics (SIGMAA HOM)
The Briscoe Center for American History

10 Golden Years: Stories of Struggle and Success from the Gold'14 Project NExT Cohort

Thursday, August 7, 1:00 pm - 5:50 pm, Ballroom B3

This session focuses on the mathematical advancements of members of the Gold’14 Project NExT cohort over the decade since their initiation into Project NExT. This session will highlight the research, pedagogical, and career accomplishments of Gold’14 members and the impact that Project NExT has had on their careers. Presentations in this session will span a variety of topics and lessons learned over the past decade. During these past 10 years, Gold’14ers have gone from new faculty to leaders. Talks during this session will share these leadership experiences. Pedagogical talks and research talks are also encouraged. We hope that audience members will gain an appreciation for a variety of fields of mathematics and be inspired by the accomplishments of these past NExT fellows.

Organizers:
Jessie Hamm, Winthrop University
Amanda Harsy, Lewis University
Alyssa Hooofnagle, Wittenberg University
Haley Yaple, Carthage College

Sponsor: MAA Project NExT

Recreational Mathematics: Puzzles, Card Tricks, Games, and Gambling

Saturday, August 9, 8:00 am - 9:55 am, Ballroom B3

Puzzles, card tricks, board games, game shows, and gambling provide an excellent laboratory for testing mathematical strategy, probability, and enumeration. The analysis of such diversions is fertile ground for the application of mathematical and statistical theory. Solutions to new problems as well as novel solutions to old problems are welcome. Submissions by undergraduates or examples of the use of the solutions of these problems in the undergraduate classroom are encouraged. This session is sponsored by the SIGMAA on Recreational Mathematics.

Organizers:
Paul Coe, Dominican University
Sara Quinn, Dominican University
Kristen Schemmerhorn, Concordia University Chicago

Sponsor: SIGMAA on Recreational Mathematics (SIGMAA REC)

AMC/AIME/USAMO Editors’ Favorite Problems

Friday, August 8, 4:00 pm - 5:55 pm, Ballroom B3

With the participation of over 300,000 students each year, the AMC is the largest program of the MAA. The competitions start with the AMC 8, the AMC 10, and the AMC 12 exams, open to students in grade 8 or below, grade 10 or below, and grade 12 or below, respectively. Based on their performance on these multiple-choice competitions, approximately 9,000 students are invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). The competition series culminates with the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO), offered to approximately 500 students.  In this special session AMC Editors will showcase some of their favorite problems from recent competitions.

This session will be immediately be followed by a Meet & Greet. Please join us!

Organizers: 
Béla Bajnok, Gettysburg College
Ioana Mihaila, Cal Poly Pomona

Looking at Complex Analysis and Geometry through the Lenses of Research, History, and Pedagogy

Friday, August 8, 8:00 am - 11:35 am, Ballroom B3

Complex Analysis and Geometry offer many elegant results and beautiful visual images. In this session, speakers will discuss such results and images. Talks are open to theoretical and applied research results including those done by undergraduate students, historical research and episodes that can be woven into the curriculum, and pedagogical research and approaches to the teaching of Complex Analysis and Geometry.

Organizers: 
Russell Howell, Westmont College
Michael Dorff, Brigham Young University
Beth Schaubroeck, United States Air Force Academy
Mike Brilleslyper, Florida Polytechnic University

Breaking Barriers: Honoring the Legacy of Elbert Frank Cox, the First African American PhD in Mathematics

Friday, August 8, 2:00 pm - 6:25 pm, Ballroom B2

Join the National Association of Mathematicians as we celebrate the centennial anniversary of Dr. Elbert Frank Cox (1895–1969) becoming the first African American to earn a PhD in Mathematics. We will explore the profound impact of Dr. Cox’s pioneering achievements on the mathematical community and discuss how his legacy continues to shape the representation of African Americans in the field. The session concludes with a panel discussion, “100 Years of Blacks in Mathematics,” reflecting on the progress, challenges, and ongoing work to promote equity and inclusion within the mathematics community.

Organizers:
Torina Lewis, National Association of Mathematicians
Asamoah Nkwanta, Morgan State University
Edray Goins, Pomona College
Ami Radunskaya, Pomona College

Sponsor: National Association of Mathematicians (NAM)

Please note: All sessions are held at Pacific Daylight Time (PDT = UTC-7:00)