A Brief History of the Kansas-Western Missouri Chapter of the American Statistical Association

• Activity Number: 483
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Committee on ASA Archives and Historical Materials
• Author(s): Jo A. Wick*+ and John Keighley and Ananda Jayawardhana
• Companies: University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas University Medical Center and Pittsburg State University
• Keywords: Chapter History ; Kansas ; Western Missouri

Abstract

The Kansas-Western Missouri chapter of the American Statistical Association was established to foster interest in statistics and to promote unity and effectiveness of effort among all groups in the Kansas and Western Missouri area having an interest in statistical science. We strive to promote the importance of statistical science, stimulate interest in statistical education and research, disseminate information from the ASA, promote high professional standards, and increase awareness about the importance of statistics within our region. Though the Chapter was inactive for a period of time, it was revived in early 2000 by regional faculty and has experienced tremendous growth. In addition to sponsoring Spring and Fall meetings, the Chapter hosts annual shortcourses at regional institutions. Each Spring, the Chapter co-sponsors a two-day regional symposium highlighting top researchers in the area and hosting national and international experts, including past ASA presidents. To benefit the region's students, we have also started a local chapter of Mu Sigma Rho. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of our history and discuss our exciting plans for the future.