Pfizer Colloquia by Distinguished Statisticians: Films of Dr. Stephen E. Fienberg for ASA’s Archive

Pfizer Global Research and Development at New London, Connecticut, the Department of Statistics at the University of Connecticut–Storrs, and the American Statistical Association (ASA) continue to sponsor the prestigious series, Pfizer Colloquia by Distinguished Statisticians. Dr. Nitis Mukhopadhyay, University of Connecticut–Storrs, directs this project. He writes:

Dr. Stephen E. Fienberg (Maurice Falk University Professor of Statistics and Social Science, the Department of Statistics, the Machine Learning Department, and Cylab, at Carnegie Mellon University) was chosen as the 22nd Pfizer Colloquium presenter in the Department of Statistics, University of Connecticut–Storrs. He presented a colloquium titled “Statistics in Service to the Nation” (72 minutes) in honor of Dr. David S. Salsburg. The lecture was professionally filmed in 2009, for safe-keeping in the ASA Archive.

In this film, Dr. Fienberg, a member of the US National Academy of Science, eloquently tells the story about his journey in serving our profession of statistical science. He explains how his mentors, Don Fraser and Fred Mosteller, influenced him to collaborate in solving a number of nationally important problem areas requiring both novel statistical input and new research. Dr. Fienberg has made fundamental contributions in many of those areas. In this film you will discover vintage Steve Fienberg: direct, polite, and convincing. He does not shy away from important, even controversial, issues. From the opening shot to the end, this wonderful film will keep viewers engaged.

On this memorable occasion, Miron L. Straf (National Academy of Sciences) and Judith M. Tanur (Professor Emerita, SUNY–Stony Brook, NY) were present as invited guests, and filmed “A Conversation with Stephen E. Fienberg” (65 minutes), dedicated to the memory of Professor Harry O. Posten. In this conversation piece, Fienberg, Straf and Tanur discuss Dr. Fienberg’s life and research, his passion for solving practical statistical problems, and his career. This lively film is a ‘must see’ for all statisticians.

Both films open with welcoming notes from Dr. Mukhopadhyay. Dr. Straf introduces Dr. Fienberg in both films. Heartfelt thanks go to the national committee members and to the local organizing committee consisting of Drs. Ming-Hui Chen, Zhiyi Chi, Dipak K. Dey, and Nitis Mukhopadhyay (Chair).

These new films will be preserved in the archive of the ASA. Inquiries to Rick Peterson, Education Programs Administrator, Center for Statistics Education, ASA (tel 703-684-1221, fax 703-684-3768, rick@amstat.org).

From left to right: Nitis Mukhopadhyay, Miron Straf, Steve Fienberg, and Judith Tanur.