Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/24/1
Iowa State University

Department of Statistics
Subject Files, 1940-[ongoing]


Descriptive summary

creator: Iowa State University. Department of Statistics
title: Subject Files
dates: 1940-[ongoing]
extent: 1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes)
collection number: RS 13/24/1
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Iowa State University, Department of Statistics Subject Files, RS 13/24/1, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

The Department of Statistics was not formed until 1947, but the study and teaching of statistics began at Iowa State in 1915 when a statistics course was taught by Professor George Snedecor through the Department of Mathematics. In 1933 Snedecor organized the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State College, the first of its kind in the nation. The Statistical Laboratory provides consulting work and promotes statistical research. The Department of Statistics was formed in 1947 and has since offered major work for the B.S., M.S., and the Ph.D. degrees in statistics and minor work to students taking major work in other departments. This collection contains conference proceedings, Statistical Laboratory histories and brochures, statistical seminar abstracts, W. G. Cochran lecture notes, policies, pamphlets and reports.

 

Historical note

The Department of Statistics was formed in 1947. The study and teaching of statistics at Iowa State had begun earlier, soon after Professor George W. Snedecor came to Iowa State in 1913. Snedecor first taught statistics in 1915 through the Department of Mathematics. This first course in statistics was called the "Mathematical Theory of Statistics." Early in his career at Iowa State, Snedecor became interested in statistics, particularly as the subject applied to agricultural research. He collaborated with Henry A. Wallace and instituted weekly seminars during the winter and spring of 1924 which were the beginning of a specialized interest in statistical research at Iowa State.

Growing demand for statistical services caused Iowa State to create the Mathematics Statistical Service in the Department of Mathematics in 1927 with Snedecor in charge. In 1933, Snedecor organized the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State College and became the Laboratory's first Director (1933-1947). The first of its kind in the nation, the Statistical Laboratory provides consulting work and promotes statistical research. The Statistical Laboratory grew to become one of the most prominent statistical labs in the country. The Statistical Laboratory continues to be a research service institute which conducts research in statistical theory and methodology and promotes and fosters the use of sound statistical methods in University research through on-campus consulting.

The Statistics Section of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station began in 1935, and the Department of Statistics was formed in 1947. The department has since offered major work for the B.S., M.S., and the Ph.D. degrees in statistics and minor work to students taking major work in other departments. A co-major program has also been offered jointly with other departments.

Department Heads:

Raymond J. Jensen (Acting) (1947-1950)
Theodore A. Bancroft (1950-1972)
Herbert A. David (1972-1984)
Dean Isaacson (1984-2002)
Kenneth Koehler (Interim) (2002-2003)
Kenneth Koehler (2003-        )

 

Collection description

This collection (1940-[ongoing]) contains conference materials, Statistical Laboratory histories and brochures, statistical seminar abstracts, lecture recordings and notes, policies, pamphlets and reports. The conference materials include brochures, programs, lists of participants and correspondence for the 50th Anniversary Conference and the Herbert A. David Conference. Recordings from statistical laboratory 50th anniversary and lectures by W. G. Cochran, Oscar Kempthorne, and J. W. Tukey are also included in the collection.

 

Related materials

A subject guide for other statistics related collections can be found here: http://findingaids.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/collections/statistics.html

 

Organization

The collection is organized chronologically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: brochures and program packet

1997

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: correspondence

1997

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: list of participants

1997

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: program (master copy)

1997

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: reservation and transportation

1997

1

 

50th Anniversary Conference: supplies

1997

1

 

Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology

2004-2010

1

 

H. A. David Conference: banquet

1995

1

 

H. A. David Conference: correspondence

1995

1

 

H. A. David Conference: last mailing

1995

1

 

H. A. David Conference: list of participants

1995

1

 

H. A. David Conference: packet

1995

2

 

H. A. David Conference: program

1995

2

 

H. A. David Conference: signs

1995

2

 

H. A. David Conference: transportation

1995

2

 

Lecture notes: Cochran, W. G.

1978

4

 

Lectures: Cochran, W. G. (7 reel to reel tapes and 8 audio cassettes)

1978

4

 

Lectures: Kempthorne, O. (1 audio cassette)

1978

4

 

Lectures: Tukey, J. W.  (1 audio cassette)

1978

2

 

On Random Flights - Dissertation Selections by Papaioannou, Panagiotis

1967

2

 

Project Vincent: disk space allocation

1993

2

 

Promotion and Tenure Policies

1988

2

 

Statistical Laboratory

1940-2009

3

 

Statistical Laboratory 50th Anniversary Conference: recordings (12 reel to reel tapes)

1983

2

 

Statistical seminars: abstracts

1994-1995

2

 

Statistical seminars: abstracts

1995-1996

2

 

Statistical seminars: abstracts

1996-1997

2

 

Statistical seminars: abstracts

1997-1998

2

 

Statistical seminars: abstracts

1998-1999

2

 

Statistics 327: correspondence

1974

2

 

Summer Institute in Statistics for College Teachers of Statistics: director's report

1961