The Life and Legacy of Professor Ching-Shui Cheng
Professor Ching-Shui Cheng was one of Taiwan’s most distinguished statisticians and an internationally renowned scholar whose pioneering contributions to mathematical statistics and experimental design shaped the development of these fields for generations. His achievements were reflected not only in his profound and original research, but also in his dedication to academic service, mentorship, and the advancement of statistical science in Taiwan. To colleagues, students, and younger researchers, Professor Cheng was far more than an accomplished scholar; he was a role model whose scholarship, leadership, humility, and generosity left a lasting impact on the statistical community.
Born in Taipei in 1950, Professor Cheng displayed exceptional mathematical talent from an early age. He attended Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School before entering the Department of Mathematics at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), where he received his bachelor's degree in 1972. Even as a student, he was admired for his remarkable mathematical ability and intellectual clarity. During his undergraduate years, he began publishing research papers, demonstrating an uncommon level of scholarly maturity. After completing his military service, he pursued graduate studies at Cornell University under the guidance of the renowned statistician Professor Jack Kiefer. He earned his Ph.D. in 1977 and, in the same year, joined the Department of Statistics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he would spend more than four decades building an outstanding academic career.
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At Berkeley, Professor Cheng rose from Assistant Professor to Full Professor and established an international reputation through research characterized by rigor, creativity, and depth. His work spanned mathematical statistics, experimental design, combinatorial design, optimal design, factorial design, block design, and related areas of statistical theory. By integrating combinatorial mathematics, linear models, and optimality theory, he advanced experimental design in ways that were both mathematically elegant and practically relevant. His work has influenced generations of researchers and continues to shape both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of experimental design worldwide.
Over the course of his career, Professor Cheng authored more than 90 influential journal articles, many of which appeared in leading statistics journals. He was also the author of the seminal monographs Theory of Factorial Design: Single- and Multi-Stratum Experiments and Theory of Nonregular Factorial Designs, which remain standard references in experimental design. Throughout his career, he possessed a rare ability to uncover elegant mathematical structures underlying complex statistical problems, revealing deep connections between seemingly disparate ideas and bringing fresh insight to both classical and emerging areas of research. From his early work on asymmetric experimental designs, Youden hyperrectangles, orthogonal arrays, and weighing designs to his later research on multi-stratum experimental designs and strong orthogonal arrays, he consistently brought fresh perspectives to classical problems while maintaining the highest standards of mathematical rigor.
His contributions were widely recognized by the international statistical community. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) in 1986, an Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1989, and a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA) in 1999. He received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Chinese Statistical Association (ICSA) in 2010, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Chinese Statistics Association (CSA) in 2016, and, in the same year, was elected an Academician of Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s highest academic honor. These distinctions reflected not only the originality and depth of his research, but also the esteem in which he was held by the international statistical community.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Professor Cheng was a dedicated leader and steward of the scholarly community. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Statistica Sinica and held editorial positions for many of the most prestigious journals in statistics. His editorial work was marked by fairness, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He also contributed extensively to the activities of major international organizations, including the IMS, ISI, ASA, and ICSA, helping to strengthen the global statistical community and promote international collaboration.
Although he spent most of his academic career in the United States, Professor Cheng remained deeply committed to the development of statistical science in Taiwan. He frequently returned to teach, lecture, advise, and serve the academic community. He served twice as Director of the Institute of Statistical Science at Academia Sinica (ISSAS), first from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2013 to 2016. Under his leadership, the ISSAS strengthened its international research profile, expanded opportunities for scholarly exchange, and invested heavily in the cultivation of young researchers. Through his broad vision, sound judgment, and tireless dedication, he played a pivotal role in elevating the international standing of Taiwanese statistics and helping to shape the next generation of statistical research and leadership in Taiwan.
Education and mentorship occupied a special place throughout his career. Professor Cheng offered short courses at major universities and research centers in Taiwan and actively participated in conferences, summer schools, and training programs around the world. He was always generous with his time and knowledge, eager to engage young researchers in discussion and share the insights he had accumulated over a lifetime of scholarship. Many former colleagues remember not only the depth of his expertise but also the patience, humility, and precision with which he approached every intellectual exchange. Rather than relying on authority or reputation, he inspired others through clarity of thought, depth of understanding, and personal integrity.
As a distinguished alumnus of NTHU, Professor Cheng maintained a lifelong commitment to his alma mater. He frequently returned to participate in teaching, lectures, evaluations, and academic events, and was recognized as both a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Science and a Distinguished Alumnus of the University. His life stands as a powerful testament to how talent nurtured in Taiwan can flourish on the world stage while remaining deeply connected to and supportive of the academic community from which it emerged.
Among friends and colleagues, Professor Cheng was often described as a “legend.” Yet this reputation arose not from exaggeration, but from a lifetime of extraordinary accomplishments combined with remarkable modesty. From his early brilliance as a student and his rapid rise in academia to his international prominence as a scholar and his enduring commitment to Taiwan, he consistently demonstrated exceptional ability while remaining humble, gracious, and focused on serving others. Those who knew him best often spoke not only of his brilliance, but also of his kindness, generosity, and genuine concern for the success of others. His scholarship commanded admiration, while his character inspired affection and respect.
Professor Cheng’s legacy extends far beyond his publications, honors, and professional achievements. Through his research, he expanded the frontiers of experimental design and mathematical statistics. Through his teaching and mentorship, he inspired generations of statisticians. Through his editorial and professional service, he helped maintain and elevate the standards of international statistical research. Through his leadership, he strengthened the ISSAS and helped shape the development of modern statistical research in Taiwan. His life exemplified what it means to be a true scholar: one who advances knowledge while also accepting responsibility for the broader academic community.
As we remember Professor Ching-Shui Cheng, we celebrate not only the achievements of an outstanding statistician but also the life of a teacher, mentor, and leader whose wisdom, humility, rigor, and generosity touched countless lives. His research will continue to shape the scholarly literature, the students and researchers he inspired will carry forward his spirit, and the foundations he helped build will continue to support the development of statistics in Taiwan and beyond. His life embodied the highest ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. Though he is no longer with us, his influence endures, in the ideas he created, the institutions he strengthened, the generations of scholars he inspired, and the countless lives he touched. His example will continue to guide and inspire future generations of statisticians for years to come.