Celebrating Success: Dr. Rebecca Doerge to Speak at May 2024 Statistics Department Commencement

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rebecca Doerge, Provost of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and former Dean of the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University, will be the speaker at our May 2024 Departmental Graduation Ceremony.

Dr. Rebecca Doerge’s upcoming commencement address holds special significance as she returns to her alma mater to inspire and impact the next generation of statisticians. With her journey from a graduate of our department, having received her PhD in Statistics from North Carolina State University under the direction of Dr. Bruce Weir, to her current role as Provost of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Doerge embodies the potential for success that our graduates can achieve. Her insights and experiences will undoubtedly resonate deeply with our students as they prepare to chart their own paths in the field of statistics.

Dr. Doerge brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our ceremony, having served as the Trent and Judith Anderson Distinguished Professor of Statistics at Purdue University for over a decade. Her research in statistical bioinformatics has significantly advanced our understanding of DNA and epigenomic associations, making her a leading figure in the field.

Reflecting on the invitation to address our graduates, Dr. Doerge expressed a mix of emotions. She shared, “I was surprised and then honored, and then panicked to be asked to address the 2024 graduates from NC State Department of Statistics.” However, she quickly recognized the opportunity to share her journey and offer reassurance to the graduating class. “Then, I settled down, realizing that I have a powerful story to share.… “I am excited to share bits and pieces of my journey so that the new Statistics alumni feel that they are not alone in their trepidation about the next steps,” she said.

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Rebecca Doerge as our commencement speaker and hearing the wisdom she will impart to our graduates as they embark on their own journeys in the field of statistics. Click here to learn more about Dr. Doerge. 

The departmental graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 2 pm in the McKimmon Center located at 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606. A reception will follow.