2007 Statistics Outstanding Alumna: Mrudulla Gnanadesikan

Dr. Mrudulla Gnanadesikan of Edgartown, Massachusetts, is Professor Emerita, Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was the founding chair of the Department of Computer and Decision Systems which is now the Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences. In addition to her academic experience, Gnanadesikan has consulting experience with Bell Telephone Laboratories and AT&T. She has also been active in the New Jersey Chapter of the American Statistical Association serving as Vice-President from 1984-1985 and President from 1990-1991. From 1983-1988 she served as a member of the Joint Committee on the Curriculum in Statistics and Probability of the American Statistical Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This committee created the Quantitative Literacy Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, which was an effort to introduce up-to-date statistical topics into mathematics courses in grades 7-12. Gnanadesikan was a member of the Quantitative Literacy Project team and a team leader and instructor for Quantitative Literacy workshops for Mathematics teachers. She co-authored a book for the project titled The Art and Techniques of Simulation (with R. Scheaffer and J. Swift, 1987, Dale Seymour Publications) which introduces simulation as a procedure for answering questions about complex, real-world problems by running experiments that mirror the real situation as closely as possible. Her second book titled, Activity Based Statistics (with R. Scheaffer, A. Watkins, J. Witmer, revised by T. Erickson, 2nd edition, 2004, Key College Publications), is a collection of statistical activities and investigations that can be used to supplement classes from grade school to the college level. Gnanadesikan earned her Ph.D. in Statistics from Purdue University in 1966.

To read more about Mrudulla Gnanadesikan, read her Alumni Profile.

Announcement that was given at the time of the award.