PRESIDENT’S CORNER
This month, I have asked two former ASA presidents to reminisce about their terms. A president’s “term” is actually three years, a year each of
serving as president-elect, president, and past president. You learn a lot about the ASA the first year, apply this knowledge the second year, and
apply the lessons you learned as president the third year.
~ Tony Lachenbruch, ASA President
Reminiscing with bob Mason Ruminations of Mike O’Fallon
S
erving as an ASA president is a tremen-
dous honor, but also carries much
responsibility. With only a one-year term I
had the good fortune of being the presi-
dent of the ASA during 2000. It was an
honor I never expected and was not at all
as president, you learn quickly that there is not sure I wanted. Indeed, when I told one of my
much time to accomplish your goals, or to colleagues at Mayo that I had accepted the
affect the profession. In recalling my term as nomination, she responded, “You must be cer-
president in 2003, I thought of the following: tifiable.” Of course, I anticipated problems,
Volunteers are amazing individuals. The but as so often happens in life, the most vexing
large number of volunteers who work for the ones were matters I did not anticipate.
Mason profession never ceased to amaze me. Some
O’Fallon The theme for my presidential year was
were in visible roles—such as chairs of com- that we as a profession needed to embrace our
mittees, chapters, or sections—but most were unheralded members diversity by recognizing and valuing the many talents statisticians
who simply wanted to serve in some capacity to help the associa- of all levels bring to the table. We continue to be diverse, but I can
tion remain strong and reach its strategic goals and objectives. hope we are more civil to each other than we were at times during the
You cannot make everyone happy. From the outset, it was clear there three years I served as president-elect, president, and past president.
would always be a few members who were displeased with something
• Certification, while not approached as vigorously as in earlier
about the association, such as the rising cost of JSM registration fees or
years, still produced heated denials of its value, despite a sub-
the lack of attention given to a particular statistical area. Nonetheless,
stantial percentage of the membership seeming to favor it.
the overwhelming majority of members support most decisions.
A few things you do may have lasting impact. A good example of • Efforts to bring teachers into the ranks of those attending JSM
this is the work done to develop a new joint meetings agreement were criticized, prompting an outburst of anger from one of the
between the five JSM sponsoring societies (ENAR, WNAR, ASA, mildest-mannered members of our profession during a board
IMS, and SSC [ICSA and IISA have since been added]). Working meeting.
jointly with the presidents of these statistical societies, I helped
develop a contractual agreement that changed the entire business
• Efforts to complete a new contract among the JSM partners were
operations of JSM. Mainly, it assigned the ASA as the sole manag-
so challenging that they stretched several years beyond my term
ing partner of future JSMs, while changing the session allocation
on the board.
and cost-sharing formulas for the other partners. This resulted in
I can only hope we are making more progress toward amity and
many innovations in the meetings, such as fairer rules for allocat-
embracing our diversity.
ing invited sessions and the opportunity for future expansion to
During my watch, we said good-bye to Ray Waller, our execu-
include other statistical societies. After five years of usage, this
tive director for six years, and conducted an open and successful
agreement is still intact.
search culminating in the hiring of Bill Smith, who was an out-
Most things you do will not be remembered. I recall working
standing choice.
extensively with the ASA staff and Board of Directors to build
Of course, the unexpected issue was that of our building on
a new ASA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Although previous
Duke Street. I had been around long enough to recall the original
ASA presidents had secured the land site, there remained countless
decision for the ASA to own a building and the process by which it
discussions and negotiations about the building and its finances. The
had been carried out caused a great deal of angst among the mem-
construction began in late 2002, but was soon delayed in 2003 due to
bership. So I was not at all interested in a big building discussion,
multiple problems with the building contractor that eventually caused
but one was thrust upon me.
the building and proposed site to be rejected. Even though a new
While I was president, we sold the Duke Street building and
building was eventually selected in late 2004, several years of work by
signed an agreement to build a building a few blocks away. For years
both the staff and Board of Directors was lost and forgotten.
after I left the board, I would ask about the progress on the new
There is joy in reminiscing. After serving as the ASA president, I
building, and hear there little and the schedule was way off. Under
cheerfully turned the job over to my successor, Brad Efron. Being
the leadership of Smith, we successfully terminated the original
president was a fantastic experience. And the joy from serving
contract and now have a very fine building on North Washington
increases whenever an ASA member stops me and recalls having
Street. I am still reluctant to go to the site where the new building
heard one of my chapter presentations, or when I learn someone
was supposed to have been built for fear I will find a big hole with
I appointed to a committee has now moved to a higher position
a sign stuck in front of it reading “O’Fallon’s Folly.”
within the ASA. Occasionally, if you are lucky, a current ASA presi-
The board I chaired in 2000 was exemplary in its civility, cama-
dent asks you to reminisce about your work as president. Thanks,
raderie, cooperation, and dedication to the ASA. I hope and pray
Tony, for that opportunity.
that the climate of togetherness continues as we advance inexorably
into the 21st century. n
4 AMSTAT NEWS NOVEMBER 2008
AMSTAT November 08.indd 4 10/24/08 2:27:34 PM
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84