The Department of Statistics is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the Wayne Fuller Graduate Scholarship:
- Vanessa Kokoszka
- Noah Leavitt
- Ben Moolman
- Blanca Parker
- Ethan Pross
This scholarship honors Dr. Wayne Fuller’s contributions to statistics and recognizes outstanding graduate students who exemplify academic excellence and promise in the field.
Dr. Wayne Fuller has been an integral part of the department since 1959. Even after his official retirement in 2001, he remains a guiding presence in Snedecor Hall, mentoring students and faculty while contributing to the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology.
Established to celebrate Dr. Fuller’s legacy, the scholarship provides critical support to talented graduate students pursuing advanced studies in statistics. The 2024 recipients join a growing group of scholars who carry forward the values of excellence and innovation that Dr. Fuller has exemplified throughout his career.
From the Recipients:
Vanessa Kokoszka
“Receiving the Wayne Fuller Graduate Scholarship in Statistics was both a surprise and an honor. Of course, there are practical benefits of a scholarship, and for these I am very grateful, but beyond that, it made me feel valued. In an already enormously supportive department, the additional support of the Wayne Fuller scholarship ensured I felt at ease during my transition to grad school. As such, I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to Wayne Fuller for his immense generosity. Overall, the Iowa State University Department of Statistics is full of not just talented but also good-natured, hard-working, and welcoming people. I'd like to thank all those faculty and staff whose efforts make Snedecor feel like home.”
Noah Leavitt
“Upon my arrival at Iowa State University, it was an honor to receive an award celebrating Dr. Fuller’s commitment to scholarship and mentorship. The award prompted me to discover the rich history of scholars who have contributed to the field of statistics at Iowa State and has gotten me excited thinking about ways I can contribute to this discipline while pursuing my PhD. The collaborative environment among the graduate students has been fantastic, making the rigorous classes enjoyable as we discuss the material with each other outside of class and make connections between them. In addition, I have loved my experience interacting with undergraduate students and teaching their courses. Thank you, Dr. Fuller, the Iowa State Statistics Department, and the other donors who made this award possible to enrich the experience for statistics graduate students like myself and others. I am so grateful.”
Ben Moolman
“I am honored to be a recipient of the Wayne A. Fuller Graduate Scholarship in Statistics. As a first-year PhD student at Iowa State University, this scholarship has provided me with critical financial support, allowing me to focus on my coursework and teaching assistantship. I thoroughly enjoyed my first semester, learning from world-class faculty, engaging with peers who share my passion for statistics, and contributing to the department as a teaching assistant. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Fuller and the donors for their generosity and for inspiring a tradition of mentorship and excellence in our department.”
Blanca Parker
“I am honored and extremely grateful to have received the Wayne Fuller Scholarship. It was very meaningful to me to know that I have the support and confidence of Dr. Wayne Fuller and other inspirational people as I embark on this exciting journey of pursuing a PhD in Statistics at Iowa State. I was both thrilled and nervous to, at 19, be immersed in a remarkable community of scholars, taking my learning and research to new heights. Receiving the Wayne A. Fuller scholarship was an important factor in solidifying my decision to come to Iowa State and has been a great support in acquiring resources to complement my graduate studies. Coming from a pure math background, this first semester has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to learn how theory and application can be combined to solve important real-world problems. Conducting research in the exciting field of forensic statistics has further granted me an opportunity to see statistics play a role in improving science across disciplines and impacting the lives of many. I am extremely excited to learn more and work diligently to contribute to the statistics community at Iowa State. My sincerest gratitude to Dr. Wayne Fuller, my mentor Dr. Alicia Carriquiry, my first semester professors Dr. Ranjan Maitra, Dr. Danica Ommen and Dr. Farzad Sabzikar, CSAFE, and the many other wonderful people in the Statistics Department who have made this experience possible.”
Ethan Pross
“I am extremely thankful and honored to receive the Wayne Fuller Scholarship. The award has eased some of my financial worries, and I am fully committed to my experience here at Iowa State as a graduate student. The knowledge I have gained in the Statistics PhD program in my first semester has been captivating and makes me hungry for more; I can’t wait to continue my studies. Thank you so much Dr. Fuller and the Statistics department for awarding me this scholarship.”
Congratulations to this year’s recipients! We look forward to seeing the contributions they will make to the field of statistics.