Andreas Griewank, La maison du Séminairé, Nice, April 2010.
This special issue of Optimization Methods and Software commemorates the 60th birthday of Andreas Griewank. Andreas’ mathematical birthday party was held during April 2010 at the Maison du Séminairé in Nice. The participants celebrated not only Andreas’ own many mathematical achievements, but also his role as a mathematical midwife. Since that role includes the large part he played in the foundation of this Journal, it was a natural step to dedicate a special issue to him. We are grateful to all who have contributed, including those who acted as referees. It gives us all great pleasure to be able to say thank you to Andreas for the share that he has had in forming our own lives as mathematicians. The true optimist is the one who looks at an almost empty glass and says with confidence ‘this glass will soon be full’.