Celebrating Dr. Dennis Boos: A Career of Statistical Insight, Collegiality, and Heart

After an extraordinary 48-year career in the Department of Statistics, Dr. Dennis Boos is retiring — and doing so with the grace, wisdom, and quiet humor that have long characterized his presence in our community.

Dr. Boos joined the department nearly half a century ago, and over the years, his contributions have been felt not just through his research and teaching, but also through his leadership. From 2011 to 2022, he served as Associate Head, helping to guide the department with a steady and thoughtful hand.

His scholarly work evolved throughout the decades. He began his career focused on robust statistics but expanded his expertise into diverse areas including variance comparisons, the bootstrap, variable selection, and multiple comparisons. Along the way, he mentored students, collaborated with faculty, and consistently found joy in solving complex statistical problems.

“The collegial atmosphere has been great,” Dr. Boos shared. “I’ve always enjoyed working on statistical problems, often with students and other faculty.” This emphasis on collaboration and mutual respect has been a hallmark of his approach, and it’s something he hopes will continue after his retirement. His advice to both students and faculty is grounded and heartfelt: “Seek out good people to collaborate with. Try to get involved with applied projects on campus or elsewhere. Seek a balance between work, family, and play.”

Dr. Boos is entering retirement gradually, having been in phased retirement for the past three years. His post-retirement plans sound delightfully consistent with his personality: “I hope to continue pretty much the same (except no teaching!), going to the emeritus office most mornings, and golfing a lot.”

Naturally, it was only fitting that golf would play a part in his sendoff. His retirement was celebrated in two parts. On Friday, April 18, Dr. Boos gave a reflective and inspiring talk titled “Some Timeless Statistical Advice and Some Newer Timely Results” as the final speaker in our seminar series for the semester. It was a meaningful moment to hear from someone who has shaped the department in so many ways, offering both wisdom from experience and insights from recent work.

The celebration continued the following Friday, April 25, with a joyful evening at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course — a perfect venue for our golf-loving colleague. Past and current faculty, staff, students, friends of the department, and university leadership gathered to honor Dr. Boos’s legacy. The night was filled with heartfelt remarks and lighthearted moments. Speakers included our current Department Head, Dr. Kimberly Sellers, and former department heads Drs. Sastry Pantula, Montse Fuentes, and Len Stefanski, the latter of whom gave a hilarious and memorable presentation about Dennis’s life.

Former students Drs. Jie Zhang, Ed Luo, Xiaoxia Champon, and Jaqueline Hughes-Oliver (also retired faculty) also shared stories and gratitude, highlighting the deep and lasting impact Dennis has had on their careers and lives. Dean of the College of Sciences Dr. Lewis Owen and other colleagues offered touching reflections on his contributions. The evening was a blend of laughter, smiles, and even a few tears — a testament to the deep respect and affection held for Dr. Boos.

When asked what the department has meant to him, Dennis simply said, “I have been very lucky to work here. Basically, I am just thankful.”

We are the lucky ones. Thank you, Dr. Boos, for your unwavering dedication, mentorship, scholarship, and friendship. Enjoy your mornings in the emeritus office — and especially your afternoons on the golf course. 

To see more moments from this special evening, we invite you to view the photo gallery from the celebration.

If you’d like to honor Dr. Boos’ legacy and support future generations of statisticians, please consider contributing to the Dennis Boos Alumni Fund. Your gift will help continue the spirit of mentorship, curiosity, and excellence that Dennis brought to our department every day. Click here to donate.