When Stanford mathematics professor Maryam Mirzakhani won the 2014 Fields Medal in August, she made history. Cited for her "striking and highly original contributions to geometry and dynamical systems," Professor Mirzakhani is the first woman to be awarded the prestigious medal, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of mathematics." A tremendous recognition of her achievements, it also reflects the quality of work Stanford faculty are doing.
The excellence of our faculty is a primary reason Stanford has achieved its reputation as one of the world's leading universities. It is the faculty who—through their research and teaching—advance discovery and ensure the university's continued excellence. From the time of its founding, Stanford has sought to hire exceptional scholars and educators in every field. Their excellence has increased in recent years, and this academic year has been one of remarkable accomplishment campus-wide.
In September, Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt was named one of the 2014 Fellows of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, in recognition of her insightful research on race and the law. The Stanford community now includes 27 MacArthur Fellows, who were honored for their "exceptional creativity . . . and the prospect for still more in the future." Also in September, Karl Deisseroth, professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, earned the 2014 Keio Medical Science Prize for pioneering optogenetics.
October brought Nobel announcements and the news—for the fourth year in a row—that a Stanford scholar was among the laureates. W.E. Moerner, professor of chemistry at Stanford, won the 2014 award in chemistry—the 11th Nobel Prize awarded to a Stanford faculty member since 2001. Professor Moerner was recognized for his pathbreaking and fundamental work in developing microscopy techniques that allow us to observe molecules at the smallest scales and open up possibilities for discovery in areas ranging from disease management to drug development. He shares the Nobel with Eric Betzig of Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stefan W. Hell of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany.
In addition to extraordinary research and scholarship, Stanford's faculty also excel in the classroom. In November, mechanical engineering professor Sheri Sheppard was named U.S. Professor of the Year for doctoral and research universities for excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduates. A member of Stanford's faculty since 1986, Professor Sheppard is a recognized leader in engineering education who has worked to diversify the field by mentoring women and other groups underrepresented in engineering. The award, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, will bring national attention to her efforts to give undergraduates more hands-on experience working in teams.
In 1891, Leland Stanford said: "Ample endowment may have been provided, intelligent management may secure large income, students may present themselves in numbers, but in the end, the Faculty makes or mars the University." That counsel has guided the university throughout its history. Of course, the symbiotic relationship between a distinguished faculty and talented students is fundamental to a great university. Our faculty want to teach and do research with the very best students, and the most talented students are attracted to learn from and with them. Our outstanding faculty—working with top students, supported by an excellent staff, and encouraged by loyal alumni—make Stanford one of the very best universities in the world.
John Hennessy was the president of Stanford University.
