The City of Aurora joins the global Science and Education communities in mourning the loss of the great physicist Dr. Leon Lederman, founder of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Living an extremely impactful 96 years,Dr. Lederman’s passing has drawn tributes from throughout the world. Certainly, we are grateful for his connection and commitment to Aurora.

As director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, he forged new paths in science and education and earned the Nobel Prize for Physics. As an enterprising visionary, he proposed the concept for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora and founded an educational body that has inspired some of the most brilliant minds in the world. Today, IMSA ranks as the top public high school in America.

The legacy of Dr. Leon Lederman will forever live through such institutions as Fermilab and IMSA and the countless lives he impacted during his decades of dedication to advancing the art of science and strengthening the educational foundation of students.

Godspeed, Dr. Lederman.

Mayor Richard C. Irvin 
City of Aurora, Illinois