First Fridays and Math

People typically think of art galleries and checking out downtown restaurants when they hear the words “First Friday.” The mathematics department at Millersville University would also like you to think about geometry when you think about First Fridays.

On the first Friday of each month during the academic year, mathematicians specializing in geometry and topology gather for the Tetrahedral Geometry/Topology Seminar (TGTS) around a topic of common interest at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pa. This past year marked 10 years of TGTS, and to celebrate, the following “all-star cast” of former TGTS speakers was invited back to speak during the 2013-14 academic year:

Sept 6: Ken Brakke, Susquehanna U,
Oct 4: Herman Gluck, U Penn,
Nov 1: John McCleary, Vassar College,
Dec 6: Andrew Hicks, Drexel U,
Feb 7: Paul Melvin, Bryn Mawr College,
Mar 7: Dennis DeTurck, U Penn,
Apr 4: Janet Talvacchia, Swarthmore College,
May 2: Frank Morgan, Williams College

TGTS meets at 4:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

“Back in 2003 we joined with Elizabethtown and Franklin & Marshall colleges to launch what was initially called the Triangle Geometry/Topology Seminar, or simply “TGTS,” explained Dr. Ron Umble, mathematics and TGTS coordinator. “In 2005 Lebanon Valley College joined the group and the name was changed to the Tetrahedral Geometry/Topology Seminar, preserving the acronym “TGTS.”

“Faculty who work in small departments often find themselves isolated from others who share their research interests. TGTS closes the gap by bringing together researchers from four institutions to exchange ideas and report on new developments in their field,” said Umble.

The public is cordially invited to attend.  For more information visit http://quantum.lvc.edu/tgts/.