Victoria Laureates, Friends, Benefactors, and Students who may become our next generation of Laureates.

Dear Crown Princess Victoria Laureates, Friends, Benefactors, and Students who may become our next generation of Laureates:

As a person of Swedish heritage, a passionate advocate for mathematics and science education, and former First Lady of California I have been honored to be able to play a role in helping shape the celebration of the incredible intellectual talent represented by California's Nobel laureates.

The strength of our state's economy, the fifth largest in the world, is in many ways a reflection of the work of the nearly 100 Californians in this past century who have received this truly significant honor. The Nobel Prizes, like no other, have become preeminent in public recognition as the penultimate award in scientific achievement. California's Nobel recipients are our intellectual superstars. Each of us in so many Ways is forever indebted to the work represented by this distinguished and growing cadre of Californians.

Toward that end, in my role as educational advocate and member of the Advisor Board for the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS), I delighted that the Consulate of Sweden in California through these Centennial Events has chosen to not only engage gifted students in the various event activities, but committed 100 percent of the funds raised by the tables purchased at our gala luncheon and dinner to sup port student scholarships. These scholarships shall be awarded in large measure to entering 9th- through 12th- grade California students who possess exceptional aptitudes in mathematics and science and seek to attend the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science.

This unique summer academic residential program created by the University of California at the request of our governors and Legislature has been in operation since summer 2000. Already, more than 600 talented Young people who may be tomorrow's laureates have benefited from COSMOS. Through the program, we seek to engage, enrich, and build a community that encourages our talented youth to pursue and remain committed to mathematics and science, disciplines that remain fundamental to our state's economy and to our citizenry's future well-being. Nobel laureates could be no finer role models for our students to emulate.

I am delighted that through these wonderful events, the COSMOS program can gain visibility, support, and endorsement. I hope that each of you enjoy, learn and are enriched by our celebration activities.

I am deeply indebted to our major underwriters and table sponsors for making all of this possible. As the Nobel Prizes themselves have become an international symbol of creativity and excellence, my hope is the California Nobel Prize Centennial Event Fund will provide a lasting legacy of support that truly fosters many more generations of Nobel winners who call California home.

Sincerely,

Gayle Edlund Wilson

Former First Lady of California