As we prepare to kick off a new academic year in about two weeks, we are thrilled to share a recap of our recent celebration recognizing the incredible team behind the UMass Amherst INFORMS Student Chapter. On Friday, August 15, we gathered in the Business Innovation Hub at the Isenberg School of Management to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our Chapter Officers and Members during the 2024–2025 academic year. It was a warm and joyful gathering with plenty of smiles, thoughtful recognition, and, of course, delicious food.
Our Chapter Faculty Advisor, Professor Anna Nagurney, continued a valued tradition by presenting beautifully framed certificates to our Officers and two of our dedicated members. We extend heartfelt congratulations to:
- Ismael M. Pour – Chapter President
- Dana Hassani – Former Chapter President
- Joshua Gladstone – Vice President
- Samira Samadi – Treasurer
- G. Busra Karkili – Social Media Officer
- Semih Boz – Social Media Officer
- Yukti Kathuria – Blog Officer
- Sindhoora Prakash – Blog Officer
- Parisa Lotfibagha – Secretary
- Mohammad Derakhshi – Secretary Assistant
- Yongdong Chen – Chapter Member
We are grateful for their energy, leadership, and contributions over the past year. Every member plays a role in the success of our chapter.
Professors Arzum Akkas and Chaitra Gopalappa joined us, adding to the spirit of the celebration. The event was accompanied by a delicious food from UMass Catering, including pizza, salads, and beverages. The highlight, however, was the celebration cake, graciously brought by Professor Nagurney. Our Vice President, Joshua Gladstone, impressed everyone with his exceptional cake-cutting skills, an important role at our special INFORMS gathering!
With this energy and enthusiasm, we are preparing for a productive and inspiring year of events, collaborations, and academic engagement. We especially look forward to seeing many of you at the INFORMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, October 26–29, 2025. For some of our officers, this will be a return to Atlanta following their participation in the 2025 POMS Conference earlier this year.
Thank you to everyone who supports our chapter, from faculty and members to our readers and followers. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming events, research activities, and chapter highlights.