Abi Bowering ’24

Other clubs, sports, activities: 
I am the president of Smith Math Club, which I started last year. I also am the assistant to the math department chair, a job that allows me to facilitate connection with the department. I'm involved with the dance department, and will be in the fall faculty show on November 16-18. I also studied abroad with Smith in Geneva JYA program for the spring 2023 semester! 

Describe your major in five words or less. 
Collaborate to understand the abstract. 

Did you ever have trouble deciding on a major? What, ultimately, helped you decide? 
I had so much trouble deciding a major! I transferred into Smith as a geoscience major, and considered ES&P, chemistry, physics, math, and economics. I tried lots of things my first year at Smith, and realized that I didn't want to stop taking math classes every semester, which is how I became a math major. What is one preconception about your major that people often get wrong? That it's all isolated, individual work. I find math, especially at Smith, to be very collaborative and creative. I've made great friends through math group work.

What was the best advice about your major that you were ever given? 
I was once told that being a math major means getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Learning math isn't always a linear process. Oftentimes, as it gets harder, you need to be comfortable with not understanding things immediately, and be willing to try hard and stick it out until slowly the pieces come together. 

Who was your favorite professor and what did you most like about their style of teaching? 
I have two: Luca Capogna, who I had for “MTH212: Multivariable Calculus,” and Jen Beichman, who I had for “MTH281: Intro to Real Analysis.” Luca was extremely non-judgemental and encouraging in office hours, so that even though his exam and homework questions were hard, I felt empowered in my abilities to solve them. Jen created the most fun, engaging, inquiry-based class atmosphere I've ever been a part of. It was truly magical—the all-time favorite class I've taken.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? 
The Burton third-floor Math Forum is my second home. 

What was most interesting or unique about your house and what will you miss about it? 
Living in Tenney is a different experience from most other campus houses, because it's a co-op. The 14 residents cook and clean together, and take care of each other in a truly loving and intentional way. Every person in my house immediately became my family, and I think that's really special. 

What’s your all-time favorite Smith memory? 
The first time I hung out with my now best friends, during orientation in 2021. We got bubble tea and walked around downtown Noho, going into all the weird antique and thrift shops, and impromptu salsa-danced in Pulaski Park. It's my favorite memory because of the long, amazing friendships that came from it.