Panelists from the 2013 Economics Symposium
At the Elizabethtown College Economic Symposium, students, as well as faculty and staff members have the opportunity to learn about how economics might affect their lives.
The Symposium, taking place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Hoover 212, exposes attendees to a range of views on economic issues by bringing together top economists to discuss the current trends and outlook. It first began after Nobel Laureate, Muhammad Yunus, met with business students and faculty members for an intimate panel discussion on social business while visiting the College as the 2012 Ware Lecturer. “It was a full house and went over quite well,” said Dr. Sanjay Paul, associate professor of economics. “It showed me how we could use this model and make it an annual event.”
The panel for the symposium typically consists of three professionals from different backgrounds. “We try to mix it up so we choose one academic, one person from the corporate sector and one from the world of policy making,” said Paul. This year’s panel consists of Ardy Lynn Wurtzel from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Joseph E. Besecker from Emerald Asset Management Inc. and Dr. Randy Trostle, associate professor of finance emeritus at the College.
Sometimes people don’t recognize the degree to which they are affected by the economic environment around them”
Each panelist is given a rough idea about which they will be speaking; however, they are invited to discuss specific issues that are of interest to them, as well. Because the panelists come from diverse backgrounds, students will get varying viewpoints on how economics affects the world. “The panelist from the business world might focus on how regulations affect business and policies, while the policymaker might discuss what policies the government might use to deal with the economic situation,” said Dr. Paul.
“Sometimes people don’t recognize the degree to which they are affected by the economic environment around them,” said Dr. Dmitriy Krichevskiy, assistant professor of economics. By attending this year’s event, students will be able to supplement what they learn in the classroom with what’s going on in the world. “In the classroom we teach students about the theoretical issues, but this gives them the chance to listen to people who are actually involved with some of these issues,” said Paul.
This event is open to everyone. To view the biographies of this year’s panelists, visit the symposium website.