EPFL's founder passes away in his 101st year

Maurice Cosandey, EPFL's founder and its president from 1963 to 1978, died on Tuesday in his 101st year. When he became the director of the École polytechnique de l'université de Lausanne (EPUL) in 1963, Maurice began realizing his vision of turning EPUL into a federal institute - now known as EPFL. He leaves us just as our school gets ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Maurice Cosandey passed away on Tuesday, 4 December, after a long and full life. "Just as we get ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year, the driving force behind the school's transformation into a federal institute - and its first president - has left us in his 101st year. Maurice was a great man who led a very full and inspirational life," said Martin Vetterli with great sadness. It is thanks to Maurice's tireless efforts that the school became a federal institute.