Category Archives: Honouring friends

Last Sunday, the Canadian Mathematical Society had a banquet in downtown Vancouver, where they officially gave out their annual prizes. I was honored to receive the David Borwein Distinguished Career Award.

I have always been puzzled by my own self: Principled, yet pragmatic; Old-fashioned liberal (or is it lefty?), yet at ease with the corporate types; Intellectual provocateur, yet deliberately respectful; Competitive, yet a consummate team player; Decisive, yet not a … Continue reading →

Another major research accomplishment by our distinguished colleague in Physics, Walter Hardy and his team of 14 Canadian scientists at CERN. We couldn’t say it better than this commenter to the CBC: “Awesome work, so awesome it astounds. This is … Continue reading →

Louis Nirenberg is one of the mathematical giants of the second half of the twentieth century. A world scientific leader, a prolific problem solver, a committed educator, and an outstanding human being, Louis Nirenberg has contributed enormously to the development … Continue reading →

Honorable members of parliament, MLA, Mr. President, Friends and colleagues Yes, I was involved in the founding of MITACS 10 years ago. I had the privilege to have fun doing it with Luc Vinet, Don Dawson, and Steve Halperin. They … Continue reading →

Ladies and Gentlemen, Messieurs Dames, Friends of Nigel Lloyd. My name is Nassif Ghoussoub and I am a friend of Nigel Lloyd. Nigel: I have many messages from old friends of yours: Steve, Jacques, Luc, Don, and Arvind. The most … Continue reading →

Thanks Ed and thanks Arvind for your generous comments. It is always embarrassing to hear so much praise from two of the most unsung heroes of PIMS. With these two guys, I feel like I am a graduate student with … Continue reading →

Honouring U. Haussman at his retirement luncheon, UBC Golf Club Every once in a while, we hear pundits explaining to us what made Canada and what defines Canadians. To me, when I think Canada, I think of the colleagues I … Continue reading →

Chers collegues, chers amis, chers etudiants et cher President, Notre communaute a choisi d’honorer le President sortant du CRSNG. Et quelle belle occasion pour le faire devant les centaines d’etudiants de la generation MITACS (si j’ose dire). Apres tout, Tom … Continue reading →

Friends and colleagues, One day last year at home, I could hear my son Joseph shouting in his bedroom. Go McBride Go!Go McBride Go! Surprised I went to check. He was playing a computer game where the main character’s name … Continue reading →

Il y a 4 ans, on était tous là, au même endroit souhaitant que le même Centre puisse continuer sa pente ascendante après le départ de Luc Vinet qui l’avait ramené de loin. Je connaissais déjà Jacques et je ne … Continue reading →

As you can see all my family is here today. But you may not know why? They wanted to make sure that I am really quitting. Joseph is expecting me to play Lego with him. This is Mathematics Daddy! Mireille … Continue reading →

Je me demandais depuis le début de la soirée, mais pourquoi ils sont tous là? Nigel, Janet, Luc, Barry, même ma femme Louise. Tous les gens que j’ai tourmenté sans cesse depuis des années? Maintenant j’ai compris! I finally understood … Continue reading →

Chers Collègues, Je suis là parce qu’ il se trouve qu’il y a beaucoup de choses à célébrer. Je n’ai pas hésité une seule seconde à accepter cette invitation, pourtant Vancouver (en fait Toronto) n’est pas à côté comme vous … Continue reading →