Melvyn B. Nathanson is Professor of Mathematics at Lehman College and the CUNY Graduate Center. He has published more than 150 research papers in number theory and related areas of mathematics, and is author or editor of 20 books. In recent years he has also held visiting positions at Princeton University, Tel Aviv University, and the Institute for Advanced Study, where he also serves as President of the Board of Trustees of AMIAS, the Association of Members of the Institute for Advanced Study. Well acquainted with the internal operation of the University, Mel served from 1986 to 1991 as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lehman. Before coming to CUNY he was Professor of Mathematics and Dean of the Graduate School of Rutgers University, Newark.