Reception today will honor UF winner of Abel Prize in mathematics

Filed under General on Thursday, March 27, 2008.

WHO: University of Florida President Bernie Machen and Berit Johne, counselor for science at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, will be among those present at a reception to honor John Thompson, UF professor of mathematics who has won the Abel Prize. Johne will read a congratulatory message from the Norwegian ambassador.

WHAT: The university community is invited to a reception to honor Thompson for his achievement.

WHEN: 4:30 p.m. today.

WHERE: Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall.

BACKGROUND: Thompson was notified this morning by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters that he and Jacques Tits, a professor at the Collège de France, won the Abel Prize for 2008 for their achievements in shaping modern group theory. They will share a $1.2 million prize.

CONTACT: Krishna Alladi, chairman, department of mathematics, 352-514-6526, alladi@math.ufl.edu

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