View photos from the event MSRI started in dreams of a new center for research in the mathematical sciences on the west coast more than twenty-five years ago, and held its first scientific programs in 1982. Formed by Shiing-Shen Chern (the first Director) with Calvin Moore and Isadore Singer in response to a National Science Foundation Request for Proposals, the fledgling institute quickly established itself with science and scientists of the highest quality. Conceived from the first as a community-sponsored organization, a consortium originally of 9 universities, it grew and expanded very rapidly into the internationally recognized center that it is today. In the course of time the mission of the Institute has evolved and expanded to support mathematical research through a broad range of activities, not only for the top active researchers but also for students, the researchers of the future, and for the public. We hope that you will join us for the Anniversary celebration at the end of January 2008. As befitting the broad mission of the Institute these will include not only mathematical exposition by some of the leaders who have been and are about to be involved with MSRI programs, but also an opening program of mathematics and music and some panels to reflect on the most important directions for future development. The richness of the formal program is presented below. But we also look forward just as much to the multitude of conversations that accompany MSRI activities, that make it possible for people from many backgrounds to participate, and that make the Institute such a fertile ground for intellectual work. In addition to the events on Jan. 27 - Jan. 30, there will also be an event on Saturday Jan. 26. For more information, please visit: Christopher Taylor in conversation with David Benson and Robert Osserman   Join us on Tuesday January 29 for a Banquet at Hs Lordship's Restaurant in Berkely at 6pm. Reservations for this banquet are $65 per person.   A block of rooms has been reserved at the Rose Garden Inn. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-992-9005 OR directly on their website. Click on Corporate at the bottom of the screen and when prompted enter code MATH (this code is not case sensitive). By using this code a new calendar will appear and will show MSRI rate on all room types available. The following Group Code should be entered in the "Comment" field when booking through our Website. Group Code = MSRI 25th Anniv. The cut-off date for reservations is January 4, 2008. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hotel Durant. Please mention the workshop name and reference the following code when making reservations via phone, fax or e-mail: EU0000. The cut-off date for reservations is December 27, 2007.