Combinatorial and geometric problems on point processes
Ross Monet Richardson · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · 2007
marks a life of extraordinary-but hopefully well-utilized-privilege.Much of this privilege is due to the selfless gifts of others, be they in the form of friendship, guidance, love, honesty, or wisdom.Hence, it is with great pleasure that I have an occasion here to acknowledge some of those who have made this accomplishment possible.My interest in mathematics began late in life, and through an odd path.I wish to thank Bob Wambaugh for nurturing my passing interest in computers into an engrossing love affair.Thanks to Hardy Reyerson at Bellarmine for truly inspired mathematics teaching and mentoring.Thanks also to my friend Dave Clarke, whose enthusiasm for attacking any mathematical or scientific problem is addictive.To everyone at Harvey Mudd College I owe a great debt of gratitude.The HMC mathematics department deserves special praise; I doubt that any more fertile mathematical nursery exists.Special thanks are due to Mike Moody for starting me down the path, to Elizabeth 'Z' Sweedyk for keeping me grounded in computer science, to Gregory Levin for excellence in teaching, to Francis Su for consistent mentoring, and to Weiqing Gu, who instilled in me perseverance, enthusiasm, and love of geometry.At UCSD I have enjoyed a surfeit of fantastic mentors and teachers.Thanks to Bruce Driver and Jeff Remmel who not only got me through my quals, but also modeled exceptionally effective teaching.To my doctoral committee I owe my gratitude; I realize that committee work requires time and effort, and for that I am thankful.Ron Graham (with Fan) deserves credit for the current direction of my career, and thanks for his always unflappable kindness.My research career is due in large part to the instruction and opportunities provided by Van Vu, to whom I owe commensurate thanks.Finally, I wish to give my most heartfelt thanks to Fan Chung.For instructing me in combinatorics, politics, and life; for giving me space but always providing support; for always being candid yet kind; for modeling a love for mathematics (and life) that continues to