Fall 2013

Dec 23, 2013

Show Me the Data

Millions take their dialects seriously. Just ask NC State statistics graduate student Joshua Katz. As a way of examining regional language variation in the continental U.S., Katz produced detailed maps that illustrate results of a dialect survey by Bert Vaux of the University of Cambridge. The maps show regional word choices and pronunciation from California to…

Dec 23, 2013

Is it too hot for coffee?

Viewpoint: Meg Lowman Coffee, java, morning Joe, black wine, jolt juice, espresso, cappuccino… Whatever the name, coffee is synonymous with the American dream. A cup of coffee has inspired business deals, exam preparation, student all-­nighters, real estate transactions, truck­-driving, dating and diplomacy. It represents a daily ritual for millions of Americans and billions of people…

Dec 23, 2013

First ice, then space

There wasn’t a specific childhood moment when Christina Hammock knew she wanted to become an astronaut. It was just always there. “NC State is kind of where everything got started.” The dream stayed with her into adulthood as she built a glittering research resume that included work at US science outposts at the South Pole, American…

Oct 25, 2013

NC State Hosts Big Data’s Big Star

The Department of Statistics hosted author and blogger Nate Silver Oct. 10 for a lecture marking the International Year of Statistics. Before speaking at the Hunt Library auditorium, Silver discussed his advice to aspiring statisticians, his move from The New York Times to ESPN and how he would rank colleges and universities. Read the entire interview.