"It's a pleasure to be here with all of you, and it's a pleasure to meet many old friends who haven't seen you for a long time, and a lot of outstanding young people in the field of mathematics......

"Here, I'm still used to opening with a story. Not long ago, I received a letter from a friend who was in prison......"

Everyone knows that Francis likes to start his speech with a story, but I didn't expect him to tell a story here as well.

It's just that no one seems impatient.

Because Francis's story is extremely meaningful every time.

"My friend's name is Christopher, he was imprisoned for armed robbery, but while he was in prison, he found the value of life......"

Speaking of this, Francis deliberately paused before saying with a smile: "That's right, as you may have guessed, he ordered a math textbook during his sentence and began to study on his own. ”

For seven years, he studied algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus. Later, he wrote to me asking for advice on how to continue his education. ”

When I read the letter, I was astonished. Francis looked at the audience and asked movingly, "When it comes to people who do math, do you think of someone like Christopher?"

After a pause, Francis's voice became emotional: "Mathematics is the road to human prosperity, which the ancient Greeks called 'eudaimonia,' that is, life full of the highest virtues. ”

"That being the case, then everyone should have the opportunity to participate in mathematics, even if it's Christopher's way. But in reality, there are structural barriers in our math community that determine who has the opportunity to succeed in the field. ”

"It's like everything from the admission requirements for graduate school, to the preconceived notions people have of the image of a mathematician. ”

"But today, I see something different. While we witnessed history, we also gained a partner who broke down barriers. ”

Francis's eyes were on Chen Zhou, who was also looking at him.

Chen Zhou can roughly understand the meaning of Francis's message, and he admires the efforts of this Chinese mathematician.

The prosperity of mathematics, or the rise of one level to the prosperity of mankind, is actually a philosophical proposition.

Probably closer to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle's definition that behavior is consistent with virtue.

Francis, who was on stage, withdrew his gaze and continued: "I think it's easy for everyone to overlook one thing while witnessing history. That is, the creator of history that we see today is actually just an undergraduate student in college. ”

Speaking of which, everyone should understand. He is a student who does not meet the requirements of the barrier, but he breaks this barrier with practical actions. ”

"In my mind, the search for mathematics satisfies the five basic human needs, namely play, beauty, truth, justice, and love!"

I believe that Chen Zhou is based on this, based on a fun-loving heart, based on a heart that seeks the truth, to pursue the beauty of mathematics, to pursue the fairness of mathematics, to love someone. ”

It is precisely in this way that he fully exploited his potential and completed the embodiment of creating beauty. I think if he is deeply in love with someone, he is also realizing his potential in loving someone deeply!"

This is a moving speech, and Francis is worthy of being a person who has a beautiful pursuit of mathematics education and has his own deep thoughts.

His words were met with warm applause from the audience.

Many people agree with him, who are mathematicians and professors at a university.

While they study mathematics and pursue the truth of mathematics, they are also a guide, guiding those "students" who embark on the road of mathematics.

Chen Zhou is the same, not because Francis praised him for breaking barriers, nor because Francis used the words truth, beauty, and love on him.

Although these words are extremely reasonable, 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 contradiction when he repeated his studies at Maochang High School, the discussion about composition.

Just as Chen Zhou was distracted, Francis on the stage raised his hand slightly, and the hall slowly quieted down, and he said with a smile: "Here, I still need to announce one more thing, and that is ......"

Francis deliberately sold a pass, and when he had whetted his appetite and the people in the audience were a little impatient, he smiled narrowly before continuing: "Of course it is not the best speaker and the prize of 10,000 US dollars as you think, it is a result without suspense! If we do not award Chen Zhou the honor of the best speaker, I am afraid it will be a scandal at this academic conference!"

Francis, who was quite indignant, did not receive applause, but was met with a wave of white eyes.

Why is this man so fond of hanging appetites?

Hurry up and finish speaking, hello everyone to the dinner party, isn't it good to get high?

Is this what you just said, the fun-loving mind?

However, some people guessed Francis's intentions, but they didn't expect the old man to say it on this occasion.

The MAA and AMS staff, who were the leaders of the conference, as well as the MIT that hosted the conference, smiled kindly.

But Chen Zhou was looking at Francis on the stage in surprise at the moment, this is the report meeting, and there is still a bonus?

Although $10,000 is a bit small, it is not taken for nothing.

What's more, it was a bonus.

Far more than expected, the harvest is very pleasant.

"In addition to the best reporter, MAA will officially invite Chen Zhou to join and become our full member!"

Francis finally stopped selling off the off, and the suspense was completely revealed in one go.

Hearing Francis's words, there was a moment of silence in the audience.

But then, there was applause.

Not for anything else, but for the man who made history.

He deserves it!

Although there are many members of the MAA, they are divided into different regions.

However, there are not many people who have been personally invited to join by the chairman of the MAA.

Chen Zhou in the audience looked at the old man on the stage with a little surprise, is this acceptance or rejection?

There shouldn't be any traps behind this, right?

Compared with the real thing of 10,000 US dollars, if he joins a mathematical association, Chen Zhou is much more cautious.

Looking at the reaction of everyone in the audience with satisfaction, Francis finally said: "Finally, I have to thank our sponsors, without your help, our mathematics would not prosper......"

"Okay, this is the end of the academic conference, it is a perfect conclusion, the dinner is about to begin, I wish you all a good time!"

The applause rang out again, and although the old man Francis had exhausted his appetite in the back, fortunately the speech in front of him was wonderful.

The warm applause from the audience, this Chinese president of MAA, deserves it.

At the same time, this warm applause also drew a successful end to this academic conference.