In old Chinses calendar, there are only 60 years. At year 60, it cycles back to zero. 60 means that life starts again. Today, we have one 10-year-old and four baby mathematicians. I’ll first spend a first minutes to make a few remarks about my friend of more than 30 years, Lan Wen. I’ll invite others to talk about these birthday babies. We will leave time for all of you to join us in the celebration.

I first met Lan at Northwestern in 1984, when we both began our graduate studies in dynamics. Lan was much older than 10 at the time, he was 38. I was 21. Despite of the age difference, that turned out to be the beginning of lifetime friendship. We were in the same area and we took many courses and shared many moments together.

Lan finished his Ph.D. in three years, in 1987. It’s a little embarrassing that it took me four years to finish. After a year teaching at Chicago State, Lan decided to return to China to teach at Peking University. He loved the country and became one of the first few to come back, when China was really a third world country.

Lan is a true mathematician. He was born on March 14, the Pi day. He is instrumental in building the dynamical systems research group in China. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences of China and the Third World Academy of Sciences. He had successfully served as the President of Chinese Mathematical Society. Rumor has it that he was very reluctant to take the position, but he was elected by the committee while he went to bathroom.

Besides mathematics, Lan loves junk food and he loves singing. We had many Big Macs at McDonald’s together, particularly the year we spent in Hong Kong together, visiting Steve Smale. He said he could have three meals a day at McDonald’s! Some yearsago, Lan hosted my colleague, Professor John Franks’ visit to Beijing. After all interesting meals as one can image in Beijing, John decided to treat Lanand his family, but on one condition, Lan had to pick a restaurant. To John’s surprise, Lan said Kentucky Fried Chicken!

Lan is a very good singer. During our graduate student days, every year, Lan would sing at math department’s Christmas Party. This tradition continued when Lan’s son, Jim Wen, joined the math department as a graduate student. We look forward to the day when Lan’s grandchildren join the math department at Northwestern!

Finally, Lan is gentle and caring, he earned great respect, both in and out of mathematics, by respecting others. Lan, thank you for your friendship and happy birthday!