ASA Announces the Karl E. Peace Award
Christopher Peace, son of Karl Peace, recently established the Karl E. Peace Award for Outstanding Statistical Contributions for the Betterment of Society on behalf of the Peace family to honor the life work of his father. The award recognizes statisticians who have made substantial contributions to the statistical profession that have led directly to improving the human condition. Recipients will have demonstrated through their accomplishments their commitment to service for the greater good.
Each recipient will receive an engraved award and cash prize, presented at the awards ceremony during the Joint Statistical Meetings. The initial amount of the prize is $1,000, which will be divided evenly among the winners. The award is given every year if, in the opinion of the awards committee, there is a nominee worthy of the award.
Nominators should submit, at minimum, a CV and two letters of support for their candidate. The nomination should clearly document the candidate’s substantial contributions to the statistical profession and how these contributions have led in direct ways to improving the human condition, as well as demonstrate the candidate’s commitment to service for the greater good. Submit nominations electronically to the ASA’s Pam Craven, pamela@amstat.org, by March 15.
Nominations Sought for Mentoring Award
Carol House, 2011 Griffith Award Selection Committee Chair
It is time to start thinking about nominating an outstanding supervisor, technical director, team coordinator, or other member of a governmental statistical staff who encourages mentoring of junior staff in the federal, state, or local statistical system for the 2012 Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award. Nominations will be accepted until April 2.
The award consists of a $1,000 honorarium (to be split if there is more than one awardee), a citation, and a plaque, which will be presented at a ceremony in June.
Winners are selected for their efforts to support the work and develop the careers of junior staff. Examples of typical mentoring activities include the following:
- Advising junior staff to help them create career opportunities, networking skills, and contacts for growth and development
- Counseling junior staff and providing resources to help develop their technical writing, analysis, presentation, and organizational skills and knowledge
- Encouraging junior staff growth and career development through attendance and oral presentations at meetings with higher-level officials and the staffs of other agencies
- Motivating junior staff and building self confidence through feedback on their efforts, being a listener when needed, and creating a caring and supportive environment
- Serving as a role model for junior staff through professional expertise, information, and insight; balancing collegial and personal roles; and including everyone across rank, race, ethnicity, and seniority
Nominations should be prepared in the form of a letter or memorandum summarizing the nominee’s actions that support and encourage junior staff in the federal, state, or local statistical community. Nominations may be accompanied by up to six supporting letters, which should be attached to the nomination. Photo and email copies of support letters are acceptable.
Descriptions of what nominees actually do are the strongest demonstration of candidate mentoring. Examples include “the mentor is a source of advice … counsels with long-term goals in mind … thought I was well qualified even though I had some doubts … encourages staff to seek out positions that will increase their visibility and stretch their professional capabilities.”
The Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award was established to honor Griffith, who died in August of 2001 after working for more than 25 years in the federal statistical system. Throughout her career, and especially in her later senior management positions at the National Center for Education Statistics and National Science Foundation, one of Griffith’s top priorities was to mentor and encourage younger staff at all levels to learn, grow, and recognize and seize career opportunities as they came along.
Nomination packages may be mailed to Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award Committee, American Statistical Association, 732 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1943. Nominate a colleague (PDF download). For more information, contact Rick Peterson at rick@amstat.org or Clyde Tucker at nctucker@cox.net.

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