A Century of Leadership: Celebrating the Southern California Chapter

Olga Korosteleva, 2017–2018 Chapter President

This year, the Southern California Chapter marks its 100th anniversary, a milestone for a community that has long promoted the advancement and practical application of statistical thinking in Southern California and beyond.

It all began in 1925, when the Los Angeles Chapter—as the Southern California Chapter was originally known—became the first ASA chapter. A short but telling mention in the Los Angeles Times on May 15, 1925, announced the formation of the “Society of Research,” noting it was the only statistical organization of its kind in the country. The chapter’s official charter was signed three years later, on February 2, 1928. The chapter was later renamed the Southern California Chapter, likely in the early 1950s, to reflect its expanding geographic reach and membership.

Over the decades, SCASA has grown into a community of around 250 statisticians from academia, industry, and government, as well as students and educators. Its events and initiatives have reflected both the rigor and creativity of its members. In 1982, the chapter launched its annual Applied Statistics Workshop, which continues to be a central event on the chapter’s calendar. In the 1990s, SCASA expanded its programming with a career day for university students and poster competition for high schoolers, laying the foundation for the events it hosts today. Currently, SCASA runs the following four annual events:

1. The Regional Data Visualization Poster Competition for high school juniors and seniors, now in its fifth year
2. The Applied Statistics Workshop, which brings together professionals, students, and faculty, now is in its 44th year
3. An ASA traveling course, offering timely topics taught by experts from across the country
4. The annual kick-off and business meetings since 1987 that typically feature presentations by local researchers and students  

SCASA also sponsors ASA DataFest, a collegiate data analysis competition that started at the University of California at Los Angeles, and recently co-sponsored/co-organized the inaugural Southern California Biostatistics Symposium, marking a growing presence in the biomedical analytics space.

This year, to commemorate its centennial, the chapter hosted a statistical game show as a fun and interactive way to celebrate statistical thinking. Last year, SCASA was invited to organize a session at the Joint Statistical Meetings focusing on climate change—a moment of pride for the chapter.

SCASA’s reach goes beyond events. For the past 12 years, the chapter has published a monthly enewsletter that highlights upcoming events, member achievements, and community news. A new feature, the SCASA Leadership Legacy Corner, was launched this year and features interviews with past SCASA presidents and active members. A special Leadership Legacy Corner issue is also available online, commemorating former SCASA presidents who are no longer with us.

The chapter is proud to count at least 10 ASA Fellows among its current and former leadership. Several SCASA members have edited ASA journals and organized high-profile statistical events. The legacy of individuals such as Robert Newcomb, Arnold Goodman, Peter Lachenbruch, Steve Chernoff, and Nancy Mann continues to inspire the chapter’s work today.

As SCASA looks to its next century, it continues to embrace innovation while staying grounded in its founding mission: to build community, advance statistical science, and support the next generation of data thinkers. The future is indeed bright. Some might say, “bright enough to need shades.” Especially in Southern California.