Dear Alumni and Friends,
This December concludes my tenure as Department Chair. Caroline Betts will be the next Chair of Economics. I will remain Vice-Chair in the Spring and together we look forward to increasing the prestige of the department and enabling hundreds of students to access opportunities they will need for future success.
Economics has continued to grow in remarkable ways and is receiving recognition for its accomplishments. Outstanding early career researchers and seasoned scholars from prestigious institutions have joined the department. The student population – undergraduate and graduate – is burgeoning. And increasing numbers of alumni are choosing to support the department both philanthropically and with their personal involvement.
That support is yielding significant results! Alumni have partnered with the department to create a more holistic support system for students providing “real world experience” through a variety of special programs. Last month, they launched “Industry Insight” Zoom Panels. Alumnus Dan Gildengorin moderated the first panel on careers in data science with alumni participants Alex Bernal, Adam Grushan, and Danielle Kuehler.
In this newsletter, I am pleased to introduce you to our nine 2023 doctoral candidates who are anticipating placement in academia and industry. As our teaching assistants, they shared their invaluable economic expertise with our undergraduates. You also can learn about important research by two early career professors. Jeffrey Weaver and Augustine Bergeron each worked in different parts of the world examining the economic impact of public policy decisions.
For now, my warmest thanks to all of you for your support and friendship – particularly to the leaders of Women in Economics and the Economics Leadership Council. It has been a wonderful year, and I am most grateful. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and new year with loved ones. Fight on!
Merci Beaucoup and Bonnes Fêtes de fin d'année,
Romain Ranciere
