The Passing of Dr. C.N. Yang
October 19, 2025
Dear Stony Brook University Community,
I write with profound sadness to share the news that Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen-Ning Yang, PhD, who founded Stony Brook University’s internationally distinguished Institute for Theoretical Physics bearing his name, passed away on October 18 in Beijing at the age of 103. A faculty member, leader, visionary and revered friend to those who knew him at Stony Brook, C.N. Yang was one of the most influential physicists of the modern era. His exceptionally impactful research, his founding of the institute to attract the greatest minds in physics to our university and his ability to forge strong international collaborations were all instrumental in accelerating our university’s ascent to global prominence and excellence in theoretical physics and in the sciences more broadly.
When we reflect on Stony Brook University's rich legacy of advancing the frontiers of knowledge and harnessing discovery to benefit humanity, C.N. Yang is a shining example. Dr. Yang joined our university in 1966 after winning the 1957 Nobel Prize for his work revolutionizing the field of particle physics. His work with Jim Simons, who joined Stony Brook a few years after Dr. Yang, is credited with deepening our understanding of the physical universe and its basic mathematical structure. C.N. Yang was instrumental in recruiting many distinguished scholars and promising students to join our university in order to work with him. His extraordinary intellect, boundless curiosity and generous spirit leaves a lasting legacy at Stony Brook and with all the students and colleagues influenced by his scholarship, teaching and mentorship. I encourage you to read more about Dr. Yang’s legacy and how he defined Stony Brook’s scientific excellence in the story linked here.
While I never met Dr. Yang, I have heard many stories about his tremendous influence on Stony Brook throughout his tenure here, particularly from his former students drawn to our university to study with him. Yang took a chance on coming to Stony Brook when we were still a young university, helping to build our reputation as an international powerhouse in physics. We are so fortunate that C.N. Yang chose to spend his career at Stony Brook and for the culture of innovation and excellence that he established.
I join the entire Stony Brook University community in expressing deep admiration and
heartfelt gratitude for his extraordinary contributions to the advancement of physics.
He also profoundly touched the lives of his colleagues and countless students influenced
by his teaching and research, his drive to discover and his generous mentorship here
at Stony Brook and elsewhere in the U.S. and China where he created many academic
collaborations. In the coming months, we anticipate recognizing and celebrating C.N.
Yang’s lasting impact at Stony Brook and will update the university community when
details are available.
Sincerely,
Andrea Goldsmith
President