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‘Poverty by the Numbers’ 5K Raises More than $1,000 for Local Nonprofit

On Nov. 5, more than 100 students in the Operations Management Business Statistics classes taught by Mark Ferris, Ph.D., participated in “Poverty by the Numbers” – a 5K Run and Walk that combines statistics, physical fitness and poverty education.

Poverty by the Numbers

Mark Ferris, Ph.D. (center), with business students Sam Moore and Tyler Turnbough, showcasing their statistics on their "Poverty by the Numbers" race bibs.

This was the fifth "Poverty by the Numbers" race. Students who were unable to attend could participate virtually by planning and running their own 5k course.

Students researched the impact of poverty prior to the race and shared poverty statistics on their race bibs. One student’s bib stated, “Americans spend more on Halloween than the entire world spends on malaria in a year.” Another student shared that “Almost half the world live on less than $2.50 a day.”

In addition to poverty awareness, the event aims to raise money for a St. Louis community organization dedicated to reducing poverty through innovative programs. Each semester, students select a notable St. Louis organization to receive the race proceeds.

This semester students selected Mission: St. Louis, an organization that works to break the cycle of poverty by creating opportunities for education and employment. Its mission is to empower people to transform their lives, families and neighborhoods. In order to better serve the community, Mission: St. Louis recently moved to North Grand Boulevard, across from Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club.

"Honest interpretations of statistics paired with a knowledge of statistical concepts can largely benefit a community if properly implemented," said Sean Pilcher, a sophomore in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business and participant in the 5K. "A call to pursue the greater good through ethical academics informed by Jesuit ideals is a driving force in reaping tangible benefits from subjects taught and learned in a classroom."

"​During our class, we were taught to look beyond stereotypes and make conclusions looking at statistical facts," said Laxmi Khanal, another 5K participant and sophomore in the Chaifetz School. "We also looked at different poverty topics. ... This allowed us to gain a broader view of poverty around the world and know what it means to be poor."

“Poverty by the Numbers” is co-sponsored by Mark Ferris, Ph.D., associate professor of operations and IT management, and students from his Business Statistics classes, the Center for Service and Community Engagement, and Evidential Scholars - A Student Chapter of The American Statistical Association.

The next race will take place on Saturday, March 25. For more information about "Poverty by the Numbers" or to get involved in the spring race, contact Ferris at ferrisme@slu.edu.

Poverty by the Numbers Race Results

Students also had the opportunity to submit a prediction as to how fast they would finish the race. The four closest prediction winners were Sean Frontzak, Athena Jia Murong, Emilio Pinero-Meyer and Khalaf Alkaabi.