Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 297 Perfect Ending
“I am very happy to be able to gather with you all here. I am very happy to meet many old friends whom I have not seen for a long time, and many outstanding young people in the mathematics community…”
"Here, I am used to starting with a story. Not long ago, I received a letter from a friend in prison..."
Everyone knows that Francis likes to start his speeches with stories, but I didn't expect him to tell a story here.
But no one seemed impatient.
Because of Francis' story, every time is extremely meaningful.
"My friend is called Christopher. He was imprisoned for armed robbery, but while serving his sentence in prison, he found the meaning of life..."
At this point, Francis paused deliberately, then smiled and said, "Yes, as you may have guessed, he ordered a math textbook while serving his sentence and began to study on his own."
"In seven years, he studied algebra, trigonometry, geometry and calculus. Later, he wrote to me seeking advice on how to continue his studies."
"I was extremely surprised when I read the letter." Francis looked at the people in the audience and asked with great emotion, "When you think of people who do mathematics, do you think of someone like Christopher?"
After a pause, Francis' voice became emotional: "Mathematics is the path to human flourishing , which the ancient Greeks called 'eudaimonia,' or a life filled with the highest virtues."
"If that's the case, then everyone should have the opportunity to participate in mathematics, even someone like Christopher. But in reality, there are some structural barriers in our mathematical community that determine who has the opportunity to succeed in this field."
“From the requirements for admission to graduate school to people’s stereotypes about what a mathematician should be like.”
"But today, I see something different. While we are witnessing history, we have also gained a partner who breaks down barriers."
Francis's eyes turned to Chen Zhou, who was also looking at him.
Chen Zhou could roughly understand what Francis wanted to express, and he admired the efforts of this Chinese mathematician.
The prosperity of mathematics, or going a step further, the prosperity of humanity, is actually a philosophical proposition.
It is probably closer to the definition of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, that is, behavior consistent with virtue.
Francis on the stage retracted his gaze and continued, "I think it is easy for everyone to overlook one thing when witnessing history. That is, the history maker we see today is actually just an undergraduate student."
"At this point, everyone should understand. He is a student who has not yet reached the barrier requirements, but he broke this barrier with practical actions."
"In my opinion, the pursuit of mathematics can satisfy the five basic needs of human beings, namely, fun, beauty, truth, justice and love!"
"I believe that Chen Zhou pursues the beauty of mathematics, the fairness of mathematics, and loves a person based on this, based on a playful heart and a heart that seeks the truth."
"It is precisely because of this that he fully exerts his potential and completes the embodiment of creating beauty. I think that if he is deeply in love with someone, he is also realizing his potential to deeply love someone!"
This was a moving speech. Francis is indeed a person who has a profound pursuit of mathematics education and his own deep thoughts.
His words were met with warm applause from the audience.
Many people agree with what he said. They are mathematicians and professors at universities.
While they study mathematics and pursue mathematical truth, they are also guides, guiding those "students" who embark on the road of mathematics.
The same goes for Chen Zhou. It was not because Francis praised him for breaking down barriers, nor because Francis used words like truth, beauty, and love to describe him.
Although these words make a lot of sense, they are not wrong .
He just didn't expect that there would be such a special speech at this closing ceremony.
It reminded him of the conflict he had when he was repeating a grade at Maochang High School, and the discussion that occurred over composition.
Just as Chen Zhou was distracted, Francis on the stage raised his hand slightly to signal, and the hall gradually quieted down. He smiled and said, "Here, I need to announce one more thing, that is..."
Francis deliberately kept the audience in suspense until they were already a little impatient. Then he smiled mischievously and continued, "Of course it's not the best speaker and $10,000 prize you think it is. That's the result without any suspense! If we don't give the honor of best speaker to Chen Zhou, it will probably be a scandal for this academic conference!"
Francis, who was quite indignant, did not receive applause, but instead encountered a wave of cold stares.
Why does this person like to keep people in suspense?
Let's finish our words quickly. Hello everyone, let's join the dinner party. Let's have some fun, okay?
Is this what you just said, a playful mind?
However, some people guessed Francis's plan , but they did not expect the old man to say it on this occasion.
The staff of MAA and AMS, who were the leaders of the conference, and the staff of MIT, which was the organizer of the conference, all smiled kindly.
However, Chen Zhou was looking at Francis on the stage in surprise at this moment. He could get a bonus just by coming to the lecture?
Although ten thousand US dollars is a little bit less, it would be a waste not to take it.
What's more, this was a pleasant surprise.
The harvest was far beyond what I expected, which made me feel happy.
"In addition to the best reporter award, MAA will formally invite Chen Zhou to join and become our official member!"
Francis finally stopped keeping the suspense and revealed the mystery in one breath.
There was a moment of silence in the audience after hearing Francis' words.
But then, there was applause.
Not for anything else, just for this man who made history.
He deserves it!
Although MAA has many members, they are divided into different regions.
However, not many people were personally invited to join by the MAA chairman.
Chen Zhou in the audience looked at the old man on the stage with a little surprise. Was this an acceptance or a rejection?
Is there any trap behind this?
Compared to the tangible value of ten thousand US dollars, Chen Zhou was much more cautious about joining a mathematics association.
Francis looked at the reactions of the audience with satisfaction and said, "Finally, I have to thank our sponsors. Without your help, our mathematics would not prosper..."
"Well, the academic conference has come to a perfect conclusion. The dinner is about to begin. I wish you all a happy time!"
Applause broke out again. Although old man Francis kept people in suspense at the end, fortunately his speech earlier was very exciting.
The Chinese chairman of MAA deserves warm applause from the audience.
At the same time, this warm applause also brought this academic conference to a successful conclusion.
