With few exceptions, in order for people in the STEM professions to have an impact, they must be able to write effectively and creatively. Let me illustrate with examples from my own field, mathematics applied to information security. Forty years ago, at the dawn of the computer age, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers published an article, “New Directions in Cryptography,” that is arguably the most important paper in the history of cryptography. Written by two broadly educated computer scientists, Whitfield Diffie and Martin E. Hellman, the article had an impact that was due not primarily to its technical content, impressive though that was, but rather to the authors’ ability to articulate a vision for the future internet that can still be read today as a guide to some basic principles of cybersecurity. [. . .]

By: Sweet Chili Arts

How can a student learn to tell a story well? First and foremost, by reading great literature. Another way students can learn how to analyze content and trace the development of an idea is through the study of history. And finally, one of the most effective ways to acquire a broad perspective and an appreciation for the nuances of communication is through the study of foreign languages and literatures. (I double-majored in mathematics and Russian language and literature when I was an undergraduate.)