economics happenings - elon university · mary research and teaching interests in- ... taught a...

Economics Happenings Economics Happenings ELON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF

ECONOMICS NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL POINTS SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTERESTOF INTEREST

Professor Jim

Barbour Retires

2

Faculty Awards 3

2016 Graduates 4

Economics

Conference

5

Student Awards 6

Major

Presentations;

Honors Recipients

7

Faculty Research 8

Econ Alumni

Network

12

Note from the

Chair

13

Check out this year’s

IPE:

http://blogs.elon.edu/ipe/

Check out our

webpage!

http://www.elon.edu/

economics

http://www.elon.edu/economics FALL 2016 THE ELON DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS

ISSUEISSUE

Elon Welcomes Professor SheridanElon Welcomes Professor Sheridan

The Elon Department of Economics is

pleased to welcome Brandon Sheridan, a

native of western Kentucky, to Elon Uni-

versity. Sheridan received his Ph.D. in

Economics from The University of Ken-

tucky in 2012. As an undergraduate, he

studied Economics (B.S.) at Centre Col-

lege in Danville, Kentucky. Sheridan’s pri-

mary research and teaching interests in-

clude economic growth, international

trade, and pedagogy. After teaching for

four years at North Central College in

Illinois, where Sheridan designed and

taught a course on economic growth and

development, he is excited to continue

his passion for teaching here at Elon.

Professor Jim Barbour Retires

While at Elon, Dr. Barbour served eight years as department chair from 1990-

1998, and again from 2010-2015. Coming to Elon after serving as Dean of the

Division of Administration and Computer Science at LSU Alexandria, he

helped implement technology in the economics curriculum and introduced

software such as LectureTools to classrooms. He has mentored research that

has appeared in the New York Times, and has had his research published in

the International Journal of Arts and Commerce, the Journal of Economic Education,

the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, and the Eastern Economic

Journal.

(continued on next page…)

Professor Jim Barbour Retires (cont…)

2

FALL 2016 EECONOMICSCONOMICS HHAPPENINGSAPPENINGS

Dr. Barbour’s greatest impact, though, has been on the students he has shaped. Dr. Barbour

has viewed teaching as a calling rather than a job, and this approach has led him to fostering

ongoing relationships with his students. When asked what he’ll miss most about Elon, Dr. Bar-

bour said teaching, and the moments he hears students say, “I’ve never thought about it that

way before.” He’ll miss the community at Elon, although he says he’ll be back for the speakers,

shows, and conferences.

In his 26 years at Elon, Dr. Barbour has embodied his mantra, “If there are people whose life’s

path is better because theirs has crossed yours, you’ve done what you were put here to do.”

He’s served as an academic advisor well over 100 students and as an economics thesis mentor

to over 60 graduates. As a professor, Dr. Barbour has challenged students to see issues

through a critical lens, applying concepts and facilitating intellectual transformation. He’s helped

countless students develop their passions and sort out life after Elon.

Dr. Barbour’s own life after Elon will be dedicated to his woodworking turnery, which he

owns and operates individually. The shop allows him to create tangible artwork that can be

shared with others, something he values both as family heritage and hobby. To him, the shop

provides a welcome complement to the intangible, yet impactful work he’s done in his years in

academia. His pieces will be showcased yet again at this year’s commencement, with the Hear-

aldic Staves that faculty marshals hold signifying one of his countless gifts to the university.

ELON UNIVERSITY

3


DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

Dr. Steve DeLoach Receives Dean’s Award

and Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year Award

Dr. Steve DeLoach was awarded several awards in 2016. He is a recipient of the Martha and Spencer Love

School of Business Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year

Award.

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a facul-

ty member who exemplifies the Elon University teacher-scholar model. This person is outstanding in the class-

room, engages students in the learning process, maintains academic rigor, and provides evidence of commit-

ment to the intellectual development of students through mentoring and related activities.

The recipient of the 2016 Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year award is selected according to the follow-

ing criteria:

Encourages and honors high academic achievement by students of business and management

Fosters in students an enduring commitment to the founding principles and values of the society: honor

and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness

Supports the advancement of business thought and practice to encourage lifelong learning.

Dr. DeLoach has had more than 20 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and presented multiple times

at top international conferences. He has mentored more than 50 undergraduate research projects that result-

ed in presentations at national and regional conferences, and serves as the faculty advisor for the undergradu-

ate research journal in economics Issues in Political Economy. He is the recipient of the 2013-2014 Elon Univer-

sity Distinguished Scholar Award. He received doctoral and master’s degrees in economics from Michigan

State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska.

2016 Economics Graduates

William Kenyon is working as a Financial Ana-

lyst at Pernod Ricard in Boston, MA.

Sarah Krulewitz is working at GreenTech Me-

dia in Boston, MA.

Samantha Lutz is working as a Finance Analyst

at Credit Suisse in Raleigh, NC.

Danae MacLeod is working at Spreedly, Inc. in

Durham, NC.

Bernardo Missura is working as an Operations

Manager with Budget Rent a Car in Kansas City,

MO.

Kaitlyn Mulder is working as an IT Business

Analyst with Nexen Energy ULC in Calgary, Al-

bert, Canada.

Jackie Peifer is working as a Project Lead at

MetLife Insurance In Cary, NC.

Jeremy Revelise is working as a Product Strat-

egy Analyst at GEICO in Chevy Chase, MD (DC).

Rebecca Sansale is working at the Federal Re-

serve Bank Board of Governors as a Research

Assistant in Washington, D.C.

Justin Schweitzer is working as a Product Man-

agement Analyst at GEICO in Chevy Chase, MD

(DC).

Spencer Taylor is working as an Analyst for

Carlisle and Gallagher in Charlotte, NC.

Stephen Taliadoros is working as an Opera-

tions Analyst at Credit Suisse in Raleigh, NC.

Stephanie Tizik is working as an Analyst at

Bank of America.

Matthew VanDerveer is an Associate Analyst,

Financial Services at EY in State College, PA.

4


Alexandra Battaglia is volunteering for a

small farm in Scotland, then moving to DC to

pursue a career in Policy Studies.

Ameya Benegal is working as an Associate

Research Economist at RTI International.

Rudi Biagi is working as a Leasing Consultant

with the HB Nitkin Group.

Andrew Brazel is working at BlackRock Inc.

as an analyst in Client Services in Manhattan,

NY.

Alex Butler is working as an Index Analyst for

Markit in New York, NY.

Ned Cooley is working as an Analyst at the

Wellesley College Endowment Office in Welles-

ley, MA.

Cameron Douglass is working as an Environ-

mental Producer at Arthur J. Gallagher in Chica-

go, IL.

Logan Drew is working for AXA advisors as a

financial planner in Raleigh, NC.

Liam Dugan is an Account Executive at Patri-

ot Energy in Boston, MA.

Michael Faircloth is attending Elon’s Masters

of Science in Management program .

Ben Foshee is pursuing a consulting career in

Washington, DC.

Atticus Grinder is volunteering in Africa while

studying microfinance.

Chris Grippo is working in sales for Yelp in

New York.

Michael Keenan is attending the Barcelona

Graduate School of Economics.

ELON UNIVERSITY

Economics Conference

5



Several economic students presented their thesis research at the Eastern Economic Association’s

annual conference in the nation’s capitol in late February. The conference included 10 undergrad-

Alex Battaglia: "How Does the Young Adult Mandate Affect Wages and the U.S. Labor Market

for Younger Workers?" (mentor: Katy Rouse)

Ameya Benegal: "The Effects of Armed Conflict on the Incidence Rates of Infectious

Diseases" (mentor: Steve Bednar)

Michael Keenan: "Microfinance, Disasters, and their Impact on Business Outcomes: Evidence

from Indonesia" (mentor: Steve DeLoach)

Danae Macleod: "Child Labor and Access to Financial Services" (mentor: Steve DeLoach)

Carolyn Powell: "Behavioral Economics and the Motivation of Savings" (mentor: Greg Lilly)

Rebecca Sansale: "The Predictive Power of Personality on Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence

from American Millennials" (mentor: Steve DeLoach)

Justin Schweitzer: "Crowdfunding Viability in Low-Income Nations: An Experimental

Study" (mentor: Greg Lilly)

Issues in Political Economy is the leading undergraduate research journal in economics and is co-edited in its

entirety by undergraduates at Elon University and the University of Mary Washington. Elon has co-edited

the journal since 1998. The IPE is indexed in Cabell's Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Economics & Fi-

nance. Steve DeLoach, professor of economics, serves as the journal's faculty advisor.

uate research sessions sponsored by

the journal Issues in Political Economy

(IPE). Seventy-two students from 28

colleges and universities throughout

the country participated in the two

days of sessions. Students came from

institutions including American Univer-

sity, Davidson College, Furman, Get-

tysburg College, George Mason Uni-

versity, Ithaca College, St. Lawrence

University, The College of New Jersey,

Texas A&M University and the College

of Wooster. There were seven papers

presented by Elon students:

Student Awards

Five economics majors were presented with awards during the Love School of Business annual

awards program on April 21, 2016. This year’s awards and recipients include:

John Kappas Economics AwardJohn Kappas Economics Award

Ameya Benegal

This award goes to the senior economics

major who best demonstrates enthusiasm

for economics, potential for leadership,

and classroom excellence. It is named in

honor of the late John Kappas, a 1985

Elon graduate.

Student Achievement in Economics Student Achievement in Economics

AwardAward

Cameron Douglass

This award is given to a senior economics major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her

courses as well as promise for future achievement.

The David O. Bowden Economics ScholarshipThe David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship

Kenneth Crew

Established by David Bowden ’70, the David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship is awarded to a rising

senior majoring in economics who has been active in the department and demonstrated potential for fu-

ture success. At Elon, Mr. Bowden was a double major in business administration and economics. He

went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Miami.

The James T. Toney Endowment FundThe James T. Toney Endowment Fund

Micah Spoerndle

This award was established by members of the Department of Economics in honor of Professor Jim Ton-

ey. This scholarship is for Economics majors and is to be used for study abroad.

The Department of Economics Endowed ScholarshipThe Department of Economics Endowed Scholarship

David Wallach

This scholarship was established in 2005 by members of the Department of Economics for an economics

major with a record of academic excellence within the major who exhibits a commitment to social re-

sponsibility.

The department extends its congratulations to this year’s LSB award recipients!

6


ELON UNIVERSITY

7



ODE Welcomes 2016 Inductees

Senior Economics and International

Economics Majors Present Theses

Thirty-one seniors majoring in economics or international economics successfully presented

their undergraduate research theses to faculty members in the Martha and Spencer Love

School of Business’ Department of Economics.

The senior thesis is the culmination of the economics major and serves as the students’ re-

quired comprehensive evaluation in the major field of study. For this research project, eco-

nomics majors work individually with a professor to build on work done in previous courses,

culminating in a work of presentation quality. The completed work is presented before the De-

partment of Economics, as well as in public forums such as Elon’s Spring Undergraduate Re-

search Forum and the Eastern Economic Association’s annual conference.

The Department of Economics awarded both Ameya Benegal (“The Effects of Armed Conflict

on the Incidence Rates of Infectious Diseases”) and Michael Keenan ("Microfinance, Disasters,

and their Impact on Business Outcomes: Evidence from Indonesia" ) the Best Thesis Award.

Danielle Brown

Ray Brown

Evan Christopher

Kate Fitzgerald

Adam Gill

Nicole Hanrahan

Rebecca Herring

Connor Kilbane

Austin Martin

Colby Marvin

George Post

Christian Reese

Hunter Rotchford

Arthur Tildesley

Steve Bednar Steve Bednar

Bednar, S., & Gicheva, D. (2014, May). Are Female Supervisors More Female-Friendly? American Economic Re-

view, 104, (5), 370-75.

Bednar, S. & Gicheva, D. (2013, October). Tax Benefits for Graduate Education: Incentives for

Whom? Economics of Education Review, 36, 181-197.

Bednar, S. (2015, April). Minority Candidates and Political Violence. Presented at the Midwest Political Sci-

ence Association.

Bednar, S. (2014, November). Cognitive Ability and Voting: How Salt Influenced Elections in the 20th Centu-

ry. Presented at the Southern Economics Association. Also presented at the American Political Science As-

sociation in August 2013.

Bednar, S., Adhvaryu, A., Molina, T., Nguyen, Q., & Nyshadham, A. (2014, May). Salt Iodization and the En-

franchisement of the American Worker. Presented at the Society of Labor Economists.

Jayoti (Tina) DasJayoti (Tina) Das

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2015). Nation Branding and Reputation: The Role of Press Freedom, Global Journal of

Marketing Management and Research, 5, (1), 1-12.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2015). Innovation and the Role of Corruption and Diversity: A Cross-Country Study.

International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 15, (1), 51-72.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014). International Property Rights: The Role of Diversity. The Journal of Developing

Areas, 48, (4), 41-55.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014, February). Conflict and the Freedom of the Press. Journal of Economic and Social

Studies, 4, (1), 87-109.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014). Diversity and the Economy: A Cross-Country, Comprehensive Study. Ethnic

and Racial Studies, 37, (6), 1080-1100.

Steve DeLoachSteve DeLoach

DeLoach, S., Kurt, M. & Olitsky, N. (2015) Business-focused short-term study abroad experiences: Do they

work? Journal of Teaching in International Business, 26, (1), 1-27.

Faculty Research 2014-2016

ELON UNIVERSITY 8

FALL 2016 ECONOMICS HAPPENINGS

Steve DeLoach (cont…)Steve DeLoach (cont…)

DeLoach, S., Franz, S., & Platania, J. (2014). Reconsidering the tradeoff between work and study time. Applied

Economic Letters, 21, (5), 340–343.

Cassandra DiRienzoCassandra DiRienzo

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2015). Nation Branding and Reputation: The Role of Press Freedom. Global Journal of

Marketing Management and Research, 5, (1), 1-12.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2015). Innovation and the Role of Corruption and Diversity: A Cross-Country Study.

International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 15, (1), 51-72.

DiRienzo, C. & Redington, D. (2014). Political Management and Corruption in Developing Nations. Global

Journal of Business Research, 8, (2), 1-11.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014). International Property Rights: The Role of Diversity. The Journal of Develop-

ing Areas, 48, (4), 41-55.

DiRienzo, C., & Lilly, G. (2014). Online Versus Face-to-face: Does Delivery Method Matter for Undergradu-

ate Business School Learning? Business Education & Accreditation, 6, (1), 1-11.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014, February). Conflict and the Freedom of the Press. Journal of Economic and Social

Studies, 4, (1), 87-109.

Das, J. & DiRienzo, C. (2014). Diversity and the Economy: A Cross-Country, Comprehensive Study. Ethnic

and Racial Studies, 37, (6), 1080-1100.

Andrew Greenland Andrew Greenland

Greenland, A. (2014, June). The Good News About Disappearing Jobs: U.S. High School Dropout Rates and

Import Exposure. Presented at the Midwest Economic Theory and Trade Conference. Also presented at the

Society of Labor Economists Annual Conference in May 2014.

Tonmoy Islam Tonmoy Islam

Islam, T. (in press). Investigating Income Inequality Dynamics in the United States. Journal of Income Distribu-

tion.

Islam, T. (2015, December). Multidimensional Human Opportunity Index. Social Indicators Research.


9



Tonmoy Islam (cont…)Tonmoy Islam (cont…)

Islam, T. (2015, September). Estimating the Elasticity of Growth in the US Using the Generalized Means

of Income. Social Indicators Research.

Islam, T., Minier, J., & Ziliak, J. (2015, January). On Persistent Poverty in a Rich Country. Southern Eco-

nomic Journal, 81, (3), 653-678.

Mark KurtMark Kurt

Gupta, N., Kurt, M., & White, R. (2015). The Buffett Critique: Volatility and Long-dated Options. Journal

of Economics and Finance.

DeLoach, S., Kurt, M. & Olitsky, N. (2015) Business-focused short-term study abroad experiences: Do

they work? Journal of Teaching in International Business, 26, (1), 1-27.

Kurt, M. (2014, March). On the Job Search and the Business Cycle. Presented at the Eastern Economic

Association Annual Meetings, Boston, MA.

Kurt, M. & Lilly, G. (2014, November). Polarizing Economics: Exploring the Effects of Increasing Inequali-

ty on Politics. Presented at the15th Annual Department of Accounting Continuing Professional Educa-

tion Seminar, Elon, NC.

Gregory LillyGregory Lilly

DiRienzo, C., & Lilly, G. (2014). Online Versus Face-to-face: Does Delivery Method Matter for Under-

graduate Business School Learning? Business Education & Accreditation, 6, (1), 1-11.

Lilly, G. & Allen, S. (2014, April 5). American College Major Choices: Surprising Persistence. Presented

at the 77th International Atlantic Economic Society Conference, Madrid, Spain.

Kurt, M. & Lilly, G. (2014, November). Polarizing Economics: Exploring the Effects of Increasing Inequali-

ty on Politics. Presented at the15th Annual Department of Accounting Continuing Professional Educa-

tion Seminar, Elon, NC.

Jennifer Platania Jennifer Platania

DeLoach, S., Franz, S., & Platania, J. (2014). Reconsidering the tradeoff between work and study time.

Applied Economic Letters, 21, (5), 340–343.

Douglas RedingtonDouglas Redington

DiRienzo, C. & Redington, D. (2014). Political Management and Corruption in Developing Nations. Glob-

al Journal of Business Research, 8, (2), 1-11.


10


ELON UNIVERSITY

Katy Rouse Katy Rouse

McMullen, S., Rouse, K. and Haan, J. (2015). The Distributional Effects of the Multi-Track Year-Round Cal-

endar: A Quantile Regression Approach. Applied Economics Letters, 22, (15), 1188-1192.

Vitaliy Strohush Vitaliy Strohush

Strohush, V., & Wanner, J. (2015) College Degree for Everyone? International Advances in Economic Re-

search, 21 (3), 261-273

Strohush, V. (2016, forthcoming) Federal Reserve System and Monetary Policy. Chapter in Rycroft, Robert

(eds.). The American Middle Class: An Economic Encyclopedia of Progress and Poverty. Santa Barbara, CA:

ABC -CLIO/Greenwood.

Strohush, V., Gupta, N., & White, R. (2014, October 12-15). Investor reaction to simultaneous news re-

leases: Unemployment vs. Earnings. Presented at the 78th International Atlantic Economic Conference,

Savannah, GA.

Fedaseyeu, V. & Strohush, V. (2014, June 19-22). A Theory of Student Overborrowing. Presented at the

2014 North American Summer Meeting of the Econometric Society, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,

MN.


10


DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS 11

Hello, Econ Alumni!

Do you remember your senior thesis and the ting of uncertainty over how you were go-

ing to come up with an idea for it, much less complete it? Or what you were going to do

after you completed the thesis and walked across the stage at graduation?

We believe that we can create more support for our students and we are hoping you can

be a part of it. Over the next year, we will be developing the Elon Economics Network.

The goal is two-fold.

First, it connects alumni with rising seniors to provide a bit of guidance regarding your

process of discovery through the senior thesis. Second, share your experiences about

where the economics degree has taken you, provide advice or simply listen.

As you know the Economics degree is a highly versatile degree, which takes

our alumni down many varied and unique paths. Hearing about your

path can be helpful and inspire confidence.

You have a powerful voice and we hope you are willing to be in-

volved in creating stronger connections with each other.

Elon Economics Network

12


ELON UNIVERSITY

Contact :

Mark Kurt

[email protected]

(336) 278-5915

mailto:[email protected]

Hello Elon Econ Alumni!

How time flies! Last year I was just taking over as new chair of the depart-

ment – this year we are well on our way to developing our new major in

Economic Consulting, our new faculty member (Dr. Brandon Sheridan)

who replaced Dr. Barbour upon his retirement is settling in nicely, and,

unfortunately, I am now a pro at writing reports and dealing with schedul-

ing issues. Dr. Greg Lilly also announced his retirement effective at the end

of the 2016-17 AY – congrats to Dr. Lilly, you will be missed!!

Some exciting news this year as well is that the new LSB expansion was

officially announced. The future 30,000-square-foot building (Sankey Hall),

currently under design, will be located on the north end of the McMichael

Science Center parking lot, adjacent to Colonnades Dining

Hall. Construction is expected to begin Summer 2017. The Economics

Department will most likely stay in KoBC, but this new building will help

accommodate the significant growth seen in the LSB over the past decade.

Again though, even though we continue to move forward, we LOVE to see

our alumni come back to visit! So if you ever have plans to be in the area

please come by – lunch is on me! And if you can’t make it down to NC,

drop us a quick email and let us know how you are doing – we’d love to

hear from you!!

Jennifer Platania

Associate Professor of Economics

2075 Campus Box

Elon, NC 27244

[email protected]

Phone: 336 278-5938

Note from the Chair

13



To stay current on the Economics department, visit www.elon.edu/economics throughout the year.

economics happenings - elon university · mary research and teaching interests in- ... taught a...

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