VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT 2010
David W. Scott
T
he American Statistical Association enjoys a premier repu- In summary, I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed my career in sta-
tation that relies upon an effective working relationship tistics. I joined the ASA at an early age and have benefited from the
among the ASA’s full-time staff and a large array of volun- ASA’s numerous offerings ever since. I have tried to be of service
teers. I am pleased and honored to be considered for a larger ser- as editor of JCGS, as officer in HACASA and Statistical Graphics,
vice role as vice president. The next few years will challenge the and as JSM program chair, among other committee work. I look
status quo. Prudent, yet imaginative, leadership can take the ASA forward to continuing my service to the ASA in whatever role I
toward the goals of sustained growth, scientific excellence, might usefully fill. Thank you.
improved communication, and increased influence in policy relat-
Present Position: Noah Harding Professor, Department of
ed to statistical issues. If elected, I intend to work toward achiev-
Statistics, Rice University, 2001–
ing these aims.
Former Positions: Associate Chair, Department of Statistics,
Scott
As a new member of the Committee on Publications, I have seen
Rice University, 2009–2012; Assistant/Associate/Full Professor,
how events can move so quickly that some risk cannot be avoided.
Rice University, 1979–present; Visiting Mathematician,
The balance sheet of the ASA is highly dependent upon revenue
National Security Agency, 2006–2007, 1999–2000,
from our journals. The decision of many members to drop paper
1993–1994; Adjunct Faculty, Baylor College of Medicine,
subscriptions in favor of electronic access has accelerated the need
2001–present; Chair, Department of Statistics, Rice University,
to find a new direction sooner rather than later. I hope to con-
1990–1993; Visiting Professor, Stanford University, 1985–1986;
tinue working to find a new business model that will keep the
Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, 1976–1979
ASA strong, while allowing significant investments and enhance-
ments in our current journal offerings and prudent expansion into
Degrees: PhD, MA, Mathematical Sciences, Rice University,
new ventures.
1976; BA, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Rice
University, 1972
The Joint Statistical Meetings are an ongoing source of pride for
the ASA. These annual gatherings continue to attract a large frac-
Fields of Major Statistical Activity: Nonparametric density esti-
tion of our membership. The quality of the scientific program,
mation, statistical graphics, data mining, multivariate data analy-
commercial displays, and employment center will remain vital. As
sis, robust estimation, and statistical computing
overall program chair for the 1998 Dallas meetings, I can testify to
Publications: Multivariate Density Estimation, John Wiley, 1992;
the enormous energy of the elected program officers and the ASA
“From Kernels to Mixtures,” Technometrics, 2001 (with W.
Meetings [Department] staff required for success year after year.
Szewczyk); “Partial Mixture Estimation and Outlier Detection
The meetings provide an important mechanism to foster coopera-
in Data and Regression,” in Theory and Applications of Recent
tion with other societies and to meet the needs of our interna-
Robust Methods, 2004; “Smoothed Histograms for Frequency
tional members. I will work to ensure that the planners have the
Data on Irregular Intervals,” The American Statistician, 2008 (with
resources needed to keep the quality high.
W. Scott)
The local ASA chapters need constant revitalization. The national
ASA Activities and Offices Held: Chair, Committee on
organization can help by providing visits by the president and
Publications, 2009–2011; Founder’s Award, 2008; Program
through other programs. The local networking provided by the
Chair, Joint Statistical Meetings, Dallas, 1998; Editor, JCGS,
chapters will be important to the membership as job volatility
2000–2003; Electronic Publications Task Force, 2001–2002;
increases in the coming year. Maintaining the true value of ASA
Program Chair, Nonparametric Section, 2000; Committee on
membership will be a goal. Meetings, 1997–1999; Noether Award Committee, 2000–2004;
Associate Editor, JASA, JCGS, AOS; President and other offices,
One critical need in the current economic and security environ-
Section on Statistical Graphics, 1991–1996; President, Houston
ments is a significant increase in the number of statisticians in
Area Chapter, 1987–1988
all areas of government. A shortage of critical data and sufficient
expertise to interpret the warning signs is due, in part, to the lack Related Professional Activities: Council Member, IMS, 2002–
of a single advocate for statistical expertise in our government. 2005; Interface Foundation Board, 1996–2008; Council Member,
Perhaps it is time to consider supporting an old idea of Sen. IASC, 1999–2003; CODATA Member, National Academies,
Patrick Moynihan for a unified federal statistical service. The ASA 2005–2008; CATS, National Academies, 2000–2005; Editorial
is well-positioned to provide expert guidance directly and through Board, John Wiley, 1994–present; Coeditor, J. Computational
related organizations. Statistics, 1991–1998
MARCH 2009 AMSTAT NEWS 13
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