 When I did I share the first time about the existence of the IHES, I will remember a Burupaki seminar at the Institut Henri Poincaré about 1962. Grotendijk talking about a new vision of algebraic geometry. It looked wildly ambitious and it looked impossibly hard. With the doctoral thesis in differential geometry already in my pocket, the algebraic geometry landscape looked too forbidden for me. I was turning to topology and the generous invitation by Raoul Pot to come to Harvard made me turn to new adventures in geometry and topology. But I retain the following. A research institute in mathematics is a place for mathematical creation. The recipe suffices to start with a visionary director, two intellectual giants as professors and an engaged secretary. Conceived by Leo Mochan and modeled on the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and advised by Robert Oppenheimer, the IHES was guided by a sequence of ingenious directors. They battled heroically towards the elaboration of the initial dream. From 1994 to 2013, this task was entrusted to Jean-Pierre Bourgnon whose achievements we celebrate today. These efforts were spectacularly successful and elevated the IHES to a universally admired jewel in the scientific landscape. Jean-Pierre Bourgnon had the luck to have Marcel Bergé as his advisor. One of Jean-Pierre's first research results were presented in Bergé's differential geometry seminar at Paris-Diderot in 1972. It so happened that the audience that day included James Simons. He had recently become chair of mathematics at the State University of New York campus at Stony Brook. The next day, James Simons offered Jean-Pierre an assistant professorship in his department. Thus the launching of a new mathematical career. The recipe, some talent, a first success, a platform to present it, an attentive audience, an action in terms of employment. Some more mentors, in this case Robert Osman at Stanford and Singsing Churn at Berkeley. The career is launched. It is only fair to note that the Sainte-National de la Régère scientifique has played a career-sustaining role by providing Jean-Pierre a paycheck for over 40 years. Over a period of 40 years, Jean-Pierre and I met at mathematical meetings, resulting in a long series of conversations about all topics mathematical. A top collaboration was even started when I was invited to the equal polytechnic for a few months. The current practice in the cultivation of mathematical talents is magnificent. Essential elements are intellectual generosity and passionate curiosity for the mathematical creation. All this takes place in a multitude of seminars and colloquia, often within the framework of an institute principally dedicated to research in mathematics. The mobilization of resources, which means salary and infrastructure, is the constant worry and permanent responsibility of the respective directors. Here too, Jean-Pierre had an exemplary career. Already as a student at the Equal Polytechnique, he acquired reputation for his efforts to modernize its mathematical curriculum. From 1990 to 92, Jean-Pierre served as president of the French Mathematical Society. Then, within the framework of the growing European Union, the need for the organization of research arose. This gave rise to the creation of the European Mathematical Society and Jean-Pierre became its second president from 1995 to 1998. One of my students later became the long-term active force in the development of a new publishing house for the European Math Society. I was always aware of the fragility of IHS's budget. Balancing financial exigencies with the chosen research orientation required considerable acrobatics from the director. And Jean-Pierre proved to be an excellent acrobat. Another recipe or observation, outstanding service begets more service requests. After his 19 years at IHS director, a new and immense task awaited him. The presidency of the European Research Council. He served for seven years with a dramatic interlude. This organization was conceived by Philippe Busquin, then European commissioner for research. I was honored to be consulted by the commissioner during the process of structural elaboration. This invitation was based on my service at the National Science Foundation. In his activities as ERC president, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon gradually became a diplomat of science with a worldwide reputation. More and more appreciated for his judgment concerning science strategies. He amplified what he had done for mathematics in his previous roles. The International Research Science Council awarded this outstanding service by making him in 2022 one of the first ISE foundation fellows. This is the highest honor the ISE confers on scientists. I quote, for their leadership, their contribution to major science initiatives and structures or by the scope of their scientific work. Two French scientists were so honored in 2022 and both attached to the IHS, the other is Cedric Villani. A witness to the many contributions of Jean-Pierre over a long life, my wife and I proposed the creation of an IHS chair to honor him. Marilyn and Jim Simons enthusiastically joined the proposal and it is in the spirit of admiration that we are happy to make this gift of gratitude for Jean-Pierre's contribution to mathematics and the sciences. Today is the day when the first hold of the Jean-Pierre Bourguignon chair at IHS, Dustin Klaus is inaugurated. Thank you. Congratulations to Jean-Pierre Bourguignon and Dustin Klaus.