From: Statistical Science Majors Union
Date: March 16
Subject: SSMU Snapshots: Week of March 16, 2026


Welcome back, everyone - hope you had a restful spring break!

📣 Announcements

1. Volunteer with DataFest! 🏆
We are looking for volunteers to help check in participants for DataFest! If you're available and interested in helping out, please sign up here: DataFest Volunteering Signup
🗓️ 5:00 - 7:30 PM on Friday, March 20th or
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 21st
📍The Link OIT Desk

2. Participate in DataFest! 🏅
There are 3 days left to register for our ASA DataFest at Duke 2026! The deadline to register is 12 noon EDT this Wednesday, March 18. 

The event is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of level of programming experience. The event will be Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22. See the DataFest website for more details: https://dukestatsci.github.io/datafest/

Please reach out to Dr. Alexander Fisher (alexander.fisher@duke.edu) with any questions.

We hope to see you there!

🍵 Upcoming Events

1. [TOMORROW!] Sign up for Group FLUNCH with Dr. Simon Mak 🍎
FLUNCHes are a great way for faculty and students to connect over lunch, fostering mentorship and informal conversation outside the classroom. Our next group FLUNCH is with Dr. Mak, and you can sign up here!
🗓️ 12-1 PM on Tuesday, March 17th
📍 The Commons (3rd floor of WU)

2. Research Committee Reading Group 📖
The Research Committee is hosting an undergrad reading group on theory and methods research in statistics and machine learning. We meet biweekly on Fridays, 5-6pm in Perkins Link Group Study 1. The next meeting will be this Friday, March 20th. More info here.

At each meeting, someone presents a manuscript/excerpt they read, and we discuss. If you are an undergrad interested in theory/methods work, put your name here, and show up! No further registration or prerequisites required. If you would like to present a manuscript, please fill out this form.
🗓️ 5-6 PM on Friday, March 20th
📍 Perkins Link Group Study 1

3. Stats Chats 🥐
Come join us for a relaxed afternoon chat with Statistics professors! Ask questions, get advice, or just talk about anything stats (or not!). We’ll have bagels, cookies, and good company—all you need to bring is yourself! (RSVP)
🗓️ 1:30-2:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24th
📍 Old Chem 211

4. GBM #7: Bookbagging & Boba 🧋
Join the Duke Statistical Science Majors Union for our Fall courses bookbagging event! Bring questions about stats (and stats-adjacent) courses, professors, pathways, and more! Come for the food, stay for the community! This event is open to all majors and years. (RSVP)
🗓️ 7-9 PM on Thursday, March 26th
📍 Social Sciences 136

5. SSMU Game Night 🎲
The Statistical Sciences Majors Union will be hosting a game night on Friday, 3/27, from 7-10 PM! Join us for games like Poker (no betting), Mahjong, Go, and more! (RSVP)
🗓️ 7-10 PM on Friday, March 27th
📍 Keohane 4E Upper Commons (3rd Floor)

🌱 Competitions & Opportunities

1. Join the Duke Undergraduate Research Support Office’s March Workshop Series! No registration is required (drop-in). All workshops will be held in Bostock 127. For more, visit URS Workshops and Events. 

  • How to Make a Research Poster - Tues, Mar. 17 @ 5 pm
  • Finding and Using Primary Sources - Tues, Mar. 24 @ 5 pm
  • Building Mentoring Relationships - Wed, Mar. 25 @ 5 pm
  • Grad School 101 - Tues, Mar. 31 @ 5 pm
2. Register for the 6th Annual Ohio State Sports Analytics Conference! The events are student-oriented and free to the public. A separate registration is required for each event.
  • The virtual portion of the conference will be on Thursday, March 26, from 1:00 pm-5:30 pm, with sessions including hackathon finalists, student presentations, and discussions with industry leaders. Register here!
  • The first in-person day will have a panel about Investing in Women's Sports. It will be on Friday, March 27, starting at 4 pm. The panel will include a discussion about the investment potential of women's sports and how those investments are being made in Ohio. Register for the in-person event, or watch the livestream!
  • The in-person portion will continue Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 am- 5:30 pm. This part of the conference will be similar to Thursday’s lineup. Register here!

3. Apply for the Norman Beery Memorial Scholarship for First Generation College Students! A first-generation college student is someone whose parent(s) and grandparents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.
The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student enrolled in or planning to enroll in a statistics, biostatistics, or science (e.g., natural, social, computer) program that incorporates statistics. It can be used to pay for any costs related to the recipient's education, such as books, tuition, and housing. The website lists a deadline of March 1st, but it has been extended to March 25th.

📅 Stay Connected

Want to keep track of all our events? Add our Google Calendar here (SSMU Events Calendar) and follow us on Instagram @dukessmu!

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you at our events!

Best,
SSMU

Got ideas for events or newsletter features? Reach out to hyunjin.lee2@duke.edu; we’d love to hear from you!

Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

March Stats Chats!

clock Tuesday, March 24
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
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Take a break and join us for snacks, tea, coffee, and conversation! Stats Chats is a casual monthly gathering where students, faculty, staff, and graduate students in the Statistics Department can connect outside of class. Whether you want to meet new people, catch up with friends, or just enjoy some free pastries and tea, stop by and hang out. Everyone in the community is welcome, whether you're a major, minor, or just interested in stats!
REGISTER
Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

SSMU GBM #7: Bookbagging

clock Thursday, March 26
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Join the Duke Statistical Science Majors Union for our Fall courses bookbagging event! Bring questions about stats (and stats-adjacent) courses, professors, pathways, and more! Come for the food, stay for the community! This event is open to all majors and years. There will also be a similar bookbagging event on East Campus for first-years!
REGISTER
Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

SSMU Game Night

clock Friday, March 27
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

The Statistical Sciences Majors Union will be hosting a game night on Friday, 3/27, from 7-10 PM! Join us for games like Poker (no betting), Mahjong, Go, and more!
REGISTER