On May 1, colleagues, students, friends, and family gathered at Reiman Gardens to celebrate the career and upcoming retirement of University Professor Philip Dixon. The reception, hosted by the Department of Statistics, reflected on Dixon’s 27 years of service to Iowa State University and his lasting contributions to the field of statistics.
Philip Dixon joined the department in 1998 as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2002. In 2011, he was named University Professor, a title awarded to faculty members whose professional work has significantly impacted the university. Over the course of his career, he became known not only for his statistical expertise but also for his dedication to mentoring, collaboration, and professional service.
Dixon’s academic journey began with an A.B. in Biology from UC Berkeley, followed by an M.S. in Statistics and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. His interdisciplinary background shaped a career that bridged statistics and ecology, benefiting researchers across a wide range of disciplines. At Iowa State, he supervised more than 40 graduate students and served on over 200 graduate committees.
An active researcher and collaborator, Dixon secured numerous external grants and published more than 180 papers. He was named a Fellow of the American Statistical Association in 2003 and has received multiple honors, including the LAS Master Teacher Award in 2005. He also served in editorial roles and on scientific committees, contributing broadly to the advancement of statistical science.
In the department, Dixon played a key role in developing statistical consulting resources and mentoring student consultants. He organized regular consulting lunch gatherings to foster discussion and community among consulting statisticians.
As the department marks this milestone, we thank Philip Dixon for his years of leadership, teaching, and service. His legacy will continue to shape the Department of Statistics and the university long after his retirement.
See photos from the reception below:
