In preparing this Newsletter, we were collecting a tally of the activities over the last year, and those for the months to come, when we received the shattering news that Jim Simons had passed away. He was one of the exceptional few that combined several lives into one. It is difficult to imagine a single person capable of such a large palette of achievements in one life. We admire the brilliant mathematician, the code breaker, the quant king who revolutionized investment strategies. Moreover, we also admire his deep vision of basic science, and his extraordinary human qualities including his unique ability to find the best in all those who worked with him. A remarkable quality rarely matched by anybody else, and all punctuated with his warmth and wonderful sense of humor.
The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics is part of his legacy and it behooves us to carry forward his conception of its mission. The Center has found its place in the world scene in a small amount of time, and it continues to grow and fashion its personality. Any of these major undertakings requires time to mature, and its success is indebted to many people in the mathematics department, the YITP, the physics department, the university administration, and more—but none of these efforts would have come to fruition without the unwavering support of Jim and Marilyn Simons.
Jim loved sailing, and we all felt safe with him at the helm. He set a clear course to let us plough any treacherous sea ahead. Not only for the SCGP, but also for his immense legacy. We have been privileged to know and to work with him. We will forever cherish his heritage.
Luis Álvarez-Gaumé John Morgan
Director, SCGP Founding Director, SCGP