Biography:
Sarah J. Greenwald is a distinguished professor of mathematics at Appalachian State University and a faculty affiliate of the gender, women’s, and sexuality studies program. With a passion for both mathematical research and teaching, Greenwald has made significant contributions in the fields of geometry and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She is also known for exploring the connections between mathematics and society, particularly in relation to women, minorities, and popular culture. One of her notable endeavors includes being part of a team that examined allusions to mathematics in the long-running television show, The Simpsons.
In terms of her education, Greenwald graduated summa cum laude with honors in mathematics from Union College in 1991, earning a Bachelor’s degree. She then went on to pursue her Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Riemannian geometry. Her thesis, titled Diameters of Spherical Alexandrov Spaces and Constant Curvature One Orbifolds, was supervised by the esteemed mathematician Wolfgang Ziller, and she completed her doctorate in 1998.
Greenwald’s career has been centered around Appalachian State University, where she holds the position of professor of mathematics. Additionally, she has authored numerous articles and books in various areas, including Riemannian geometry, math education, and mathematics in society. One noteworthy aspect of her professional endeavors is her dedication to promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among young women. In an effort to engage Girl Scouts in STEM fields, Greenwald collaborated with her colleagues Amber Mellon and Jill Thomley to create a merit badge in mathematics. Moreover, she has undertaken a project to record video interviews with women in STEM who were former Girl Scout members, with the aim of inspiring young girls to pursue careers in these fields.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Greenwald was elected in 2020 to serve as a Member at Large of the Council of the American Mathematical Society for the period 2021-2024. She has also received multiple honors throughout her career. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member, bestowed by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). In 2017, Greenwald was selected as a plenary speaker at the spring southeast section meeting of the MAA held at Clemson University in March 2018. Her commitment to advancing women in mathematics was recognized when she received the AWM Service Award in 2018 for her work on the Executive Committee and as an Associate Editor of the AWM (Association for Women in Mathematics) newsletter. Notably, in 2020, Greenwald was named a Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics for her creative and effective efforts in sparking interest in mathematics, especially among young girls, as well as her extensive contributions to the advancement of women in mathematics through her writing, lectures, and involvement with professional societies. To add to her list of achievements, she was selected as a George Pólya Lecturer by the Mathematical Association of America for the years 2021-2022.
Throughout her career, Greenwald has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and the promotion of women in STEM fields. Her work in both research and teaching has had a tremendous impact on the mathematical community and society as a whole.
Awards:
– Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member (2005)
– AWM Service Award (2018)
– Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics (2020)
– George Pólya Lecturer, Mathematical Association of America (2021-2022)