Rod Sturdivant
Rod Sturdivant joined the faculty of the Department of Statistical Science at Baylor University in 2020. He serves as Director of the Statistical Consulting Center. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who served on active duty for 27 years after graduating from West Point. He finished his career as an Academy Professor in the Math Department at West Point. During that time, he founded and directed the West Point Center of Data Analysis and Statistics (CDAS) and earned the academic rank of Professor of Applied Statistics. After retirement, Rod spent time as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Biostatistics Division of the College of Public Health at The Ohio State University, where he also served for one year as Chair for Biostatistics. He then took a position as Professor at Azusa Pacific University, building and directing a new M.S. in Applied Statistics and Analytics. He earned the American Statistical Association Army Wilks Award in 2021 for contributions to the advancement of scientific or technical knowledge in Army statistics. Rod is married to Mandy and has two children, Chelsea and Steven, and two grandsons, Erik and Marcus. He enjoys playing the violin (with the orchestra at First Baptist of Woodway and the McLennan Community Orchestra) and running.
Stephanie Tate
Stephanie is a professional Ballroom Daner with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, she is now a Franchisee of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco.
Stephanie and her husband Bryan currently hold the 2019 Arthur Murray Professional Nine-Dance Champion Title. They are also Three Time World Lindy Hop Champions as well as the 2014 International Two-Dance Champions in Venice, Italy. They have also been Rising Star and Open Professional Finalists in Italy, the Czech Republic, Cancun, Orlando, and Washington D.C.
Before Stephanie’s career at Arthur Murray, she was classically trained in Ballet and Musical Theatre Arts in Philadelphia and New York City. She has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Walnut Street Theatre, and the Bristol Riverside Theatre in Philadelphia. She was also part of an off-Broadway performance workshop with Broadway show writer, Barry Keating. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business with a double minor in Spanish and Theatre Arts.
Stephanie’s desire to become Arthur Murray Franchisees all goes back to her passion for people. Stephanie and her husband both agree that their first love is sharing the joy of dance with others and teaching their students, many of whom before coming to Arthur Murray, had never danced before. Watching their students and staff grow and develop in their own dance journey is what they enjoy the most about being Arthur Murray Professionals.