Brief Introduction:

On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Professor Shiing-Shen Chern, Professor David Eisenbud, a distinguished American mathematician and Director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), expressed his admiration for Professor Chern. "I remember his personal warmth and welcome, and his great caring about the institute. He was extremely modest about his own role in forming the institute, asserting that all the work was done by his partners..." Professor Chern had made extraordinary contribution since he became Director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), however, he never claim credit for himself or become arrogant, instead he was always modest in cooperation with his colleagues.

"Calvin Moore, who became his first Deputy Director...said that Chern could call any important mathematician in the world and invite him. And this was what helped propel MSRI in the early days to become one of the world leading mathematical research centers." said Professor David Eisenbud. It was because of Professor Chern's outstanding academic achievements and attractive personality, that enabled him to have deep friendships with many mathematicians.

The statue of Shiing-Shen Chern at MSRI (Source: MSRI)

Mentioning the statue of Shiing-Shen Chern at MSRI (see image above), Professor Eisenbud had a lot to say, "The statue is widely admired. Students come up from Berkeley just to touch it. I feel that Chern's presence is still influential, presiding over the institute whose traditions he helped to set."

(Above is the video speech that Professor David Eisenbud planned to deliver at CIM's Conference of Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of the Birth of Professor Shiing-Shen Chern)

David Eisenbud is a distinguished American mathematician, currently the Director of Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and Professor at University of California, Berkeley. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Mathematical Society (AMS), previously served as the President of AMS. He has won the Leroy P. Steele Prize.