Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of the Department of Economics Newsletter for Old Dominion University's Strome College of Business! We are excited to communicate with you to keep you informed and engaged with the latest updates, insights and opportunities within our program. Each semester, we’ll bring you highlights from faculty research, student achievements, upcoming events, and program news. Whether you're a current student, an alumnus, a potential student or just a friend we hope this newsletter serves as a resource for stakeholders of department. Thank you for joining us!

Dr. Bob McNab
Department Chair
Professor of Economics
Executive Director, Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy

On January 29, 2025, Dr. Bob McNab and Dr. Vinod Agarwal presented the 2025 Economic Forecasting Project. Dr. Jay Walker, Master of Arts in Economics Program Director, sat down with Dr. McNab shortly thereafter to get his perspective on the economy in the year to come and his perspectives about the program, labor markets in the longer term and more. See the videos below for more! 

For more coverage of the 2025 Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy’s Annual Economic Forecast, click here.

Old Dominion University Professor Emeritus Wayne Talley, Ph.D., an Eminent Scholar of Economics who won the 2018 International Onassis Prize in Shipping – sometimes described as the Nobel Prize for maritime economics research – died on Jan. 29. He was 82.

“We all benefited from Wayne's true dedication to academic excellence and his thought leadership,” said Erika Marsillac, Ph.D., dean of the Strome College of Business, where Dr. Talley made his professional home. “He leaves an indelible mark at Strome, at ODU, and in his field. His legacy and advocacy for maritime economics research, while started at ODU, extends around the globe.”

(Leiu) Svarin Yuenyong: The Effect of Expenditure Decentralization on Net FDI Inflows: Developed and Developing Countries, 2003–2019 (Awarded best paper/presentation)

Sterling Rivers: Analyzing the Impact of Public Deficits on Interest Rates: Evidence from the USA and Honduras

Mentored by Dr. Bob McNab

Austin Bussey: Paving the Way: The Role of Highway Infrastructure in Shaping Educational Outcomes

Nicholas Adu Gyamfi: The Housing Price Effects of Flood Zones: Evidence from Norfolk, VA

Mentored by Dr. Alex Cardazzi

Aliou Ba, current first year PhD student in Economics at the University of Houston and MA Program Spring 2024 alumni told us about his journey to start the PhD program as well as his experiences so far. 

Ruth Sirma and Jay Walker, Ph.D. discussed the application process and funding opportunities in addition to describing the program experience, academic environment, and professional opportunities to be a master's student in the MA Program. Their discussion is linked below on YouTube. Please share and forward to any friends or acquaintances who might be interested in graduate study in economics!

The M.A. in Economics welcome event for Spring 2025 was held on On Jan. 16 for our five new incoming students as well as our returning students to the program in an event in Constant Hall on campus. Students connected and reconnected after the holiday, enjoying food, conversation, and even a few raffle prizes.

Please send us a message to check in and share your contact information to stay informed of alumni and student events. We would love to hear from former students, potential future students, or friends of the program. These questions will help gauge interest, gather useful insights, and foster stronger connections between students, alumni, and the department. Thank you for your participation!

Your support can help fund scholarships, research and professional development opportunities. You can give directly to the department at this link.

Department of Economics
Old Dominion University 
2004 Constant Hall
Norfolk, VA 23529
gradecon@odu.edu