Eliahu I. Jury [Historical Perspectives]

To me, Eliahu I. Jury is more than an influential researcher who has made a long-lasting impact on the field of discrete-time systems and whose contributions appear in almost every text in control theory. For me, writing about Prof. Eliahu I. Jury takes a more personal tone. He has been my Ph.D. advisor, a coauthor, a colleague, a family friend, a trusted mentor to whom I constantly turn for valuable advice, and a person whom I hold in the highest regard and for whom I have great respect and admiration. After deliberating on how I should begin this tribute, I thought it apt to borrow the citation of the Egleston Medal, the highest award given by the Columbia University Engineering School Alumni Association, which was presented to Prof. Jury in 1999: "Academician who initiated the field of discrete-time systems, pioneered the z-transforms and created the 'Jury stability test'." With the burdens and pressures of professional and personal life, it is not often that we get an opportunity to stop and reflect on the pioneering researchers who have paved the way for us. The Egleston Medal citation is sufficient testimony to the long-lasting impact that Prof. Jury has had on discrete-time systems. I was fortunate to receive direction, guidance, and supervision from Prof. Jury while I was a graduate student at the University of Miami and to have him as a mentor and friend to this very day.