Adil Beken '28
First math class at Swarthmore: Linear Algebra with Theory (Math 28) and Statistical Methods II (Stat 21)
What was your favorite math class and why? Math 093: Directed Reading with Professor Devlin. Our directed reading focused on abstract algebra and category theory, and I loved how it allowed me to explore algebraic topics that were not covered in my other courses while also introducing me to category theory and its connections to algebra. Because the course included only two students, we were able to choose specific topics that we were personally interested in. I also really enjoyed discussing the material directly with Professor Devlin and the other student. It was especially stimulating and fruitful to work through complex proofs together as a group, developing a deeper understanding of the concepts. It was an incredibly fun and rewarding course, and I would definitely recommend directed readings to other students who want to explore a particular area of math beyond regular coursework.
Why did you become a math major? Initially, I became a math major because I had always enjoyed intellectually stimulating puzzles and problems, and math seemed to offer the most intriguing and creative problems. And while this is still true, as I have taken more classes at Swarthmore, I have come to appreciate math for much more than its problem-solving aspects. In addition to enjoying the problems, I now love studying math because I feel like it reveals underlying structures behind many universal concepts and offers beautiful, illuminating insights into these structures. I find it especially satisfying to discover connections between concepts or areas of mathematics that initially seem unrelated. By exploring these connections more deeply, one can often find that the concepts are actually closely related or are even manifestations of the same underlying idea. I feel like these moments give me a richer understanding of mathematics and, in a way, of the world.
How do you expect to use your mathematics after leaving Swarthmore? I hope to pursue a PhD in mathematics and eventually do both research and teaching. I would love to continue exploring exciting mathematical questions while also sharing my love for math with others.
What advice do you have for an incoming student? Talk about math with your professors and (especially) fellow students. Discussing math with fellow mathematicians will deepen your understanding of it and expose you to diverse areas of the subject. I also believe that collaborating and sharing your love for math with others can make studying it more joyful and rewarding, and even foster feelings of human connection and belonging in the community – something we all need, especially these days.
