Mentoring Award Honoree Rewarded for Impact

Philip Scinto

There are many fine, important, and prestigious honors awarded by the ASA each year. One of my favorites is one that rewards the impact (Note: “Making an Impact” is the theme of JSM 2019) a member has on the lives of other statisticians: the ASA Mentoring Award. This is the fourth year the award has been given, and it has extra special meaning to me because the winner happens to be my mentor, Steven Schwager.

We may not think of mentors as famous, champions, or people of significant importance. However, to those of us who are mentored, being a mentor means being a hero. You don’t have to be a CEO, president, director, fellow, professor, manager, or board member to be a great mentor. But you do need to care more about others than you do yourself. You need to take the time to learn about others, instead of promoting yourself to them. You need to have the patience to co-evolve with a person over time. You need to be a leader and set great examples. A great mentor has a tremendous impact on the lives of many, with the added benefit of inspiring mentees to counsel and mentor others.

Steve had an impact on me from the day I set foot on the Cornell campus in 1982 (yes, I am old). Steve was not my de-facto mentor because he was my adviser. He was (and still is) my mentor and a mentor to many others, because that is his passion. Whether as a professor, adviser, faculty adviser for student-run clubs, a consultant in industry, or friend, Steve always enthusiastically takes time and care to listen and discuss career, statistics, and life. Steve’s influence knows no bounds. Whatever corner of the globe you originate from or your field of interest, Steve will take the time to learn about you and be there for you.

I am proud of the ASA for sponsoring the Mentoring Award and recognizing Steve. While being a mentor does not mean fame, fortune, and prosperity, it does mean making our profession, our community, and our world a better place. If you are in a situation that cannot or does not offer access to this culture, the ASA and ASA sections and chapters offer several opportunities to be involved in a mentoring program as either a mentor, mentee, or both. I highly recommend taking the time to enhance your life/career and make a lasting impact on the life/career of others through mentoring.

Steve will be recognized with the mentoring award at the ASA President’s Address and Awards ceremony Tuesday night at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Denver.

Nominations for next year’s mentoring award are due March 1, 2020.