News: Department News
The Department of Economics
Departmental News
Spring 2012
Undergraduate Student Nina Johnson-Kanu who was 
recognized at the March 22, 2012 annual UA Women in Higher Education Spring Luncheon to honor outstanding women students. Nina attended the luncheon with Economics Department Undergraduate Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Erickson.
Dr. Robert McGuire's New Book
Dr. Robert McGuire, University of Akron research professor of economics, and Dr. Philip R. P. Coehlo, professor of economics at Ball State University have explored the historical development of humanity and the economy through an integration of biological and economic perspectives in their new book, Parasites, Pathogens and Progress.
To learn more about the book, visit The MIT Press
Mike Nelson, Economics Department Chair, Presents at International Conference in Spain
Dr. Nelson, Professor and Chair, was invited to present his paper “Corruption and the size of local governments: Are they related?” at the International Conference focusing on The Challenge of Local Government Size; Theoretical Perspectives, International Experience, and Policy Reform. The conference is being held September 29-30th 2011 at the Universidad de Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
Economics Majors receive Scholarship Awards
Lung-ho Lin Scholarship
We congratulate Daniel Witmer and Samuel Hinkle who are this year's recipients of the Lung-ho Lin Memorial Scholarship in Economics. Dr. Lin was a highly regarded professor and mentor who's legacy is being honored by this scholarship award.
Mrs. Betsy Whitmore Memorial Scholarship
Also please join us in congratulating Simon Beck and Eric Tannehill, two economics department seniors who were selected to receive a scholarship award from the Mrs. Betsy Whitmore Memorial Scholarship fund for the fall 2011 semester.
Mrs. Whitmore' family established the scholarship fund in 2011, from the many thoughtful memorial gifts received at Mrs. Whitmore’s passing.
Shawn Rohlin Selected To Participate in the 2011 Lincoln Institute Junior Scholars Program
Assistant Professor Shawn Rohlin has been selected to participate in the Lincoln Institute Junior Scholars Program in Boston Massachusetts. The program is for junior scholars in which assistant professors of economics or research analysts with recent Ph.Ds. specializing in public finance or urban economics will have an opportunity to work with senior economists. Those funded through this program will be known as Lincoln Scholars.
The two-day program will include:
- presentations by a panel of journal editors on “how to publish in public finance and urban economics journals,”
- a workshop in which senior scholars will comment on draft papers or proposals written by the Lincoln Scholars,
- an opportunity for the Lincoln Scholars to make brief presentations on their research interests, and
· a seminar in which scholars in public finance and urban economics from around the country will present their latest research.
March 22, 2011 Economics Panel on The Future (Video)
Dr. Nelson, Chair of the Department of Economics, to serve as Guest Co-Editor for a special issue on Internet Taxation by the Oxford Internet Institute.
"Policy and Internet, a peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary journal investigating the impact of the Internet on public policy, is inviting submissions for a special issue on Internet taxation. Rajeev K. Goel, Professor of Economics at Illinois State University, and Michael A. Nelson, Professor of Economics and Department Chair at the University of Akron, will serve as guest editors."
For online paper submission or for more information please visit the site below. The deadline for submission is May 31, 2011 and the special issue is scheduled for publication in October 2011.
Special Issue on Internet Taxation
Poster Exhibit
In the Spring semester the Department holds its annual undergraduate poster exhibit. Undergraduate students at all levels are invited to present their independent and faculty co-sponsored research in any area associated with economics. This year this event will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Please visit 2011 Undergraduate Poster Exhibit for more information or contact Dr. F. Renna. Poster Format Example
Read about the 2011 competition winners here.
New Faculty Member - Fall 2010
The department is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Munpyung O to the faculty. Dr. O specializes in Financial economics, Banking and Credit markets, Real estate and Time series econometrics. Dr. O received his P.h.D. from University of California, Santa Barbara in May 2010.
Milken Institute speaker discussed Akron and the knowledge-based Economy
Ross Devol of the Milken Institute spoke on "Akron's and Ohio's Position in the Knowledge-based Economy: Charting a Course for the Future" on Thursday, March 11, from 4:00pm - 5:15 pm in the Ballroom A of the Paul E. Martin University Center.
DeVol is the director of regional economics and the Center for Economics at the Milken Institute. He has been ranked among the "Super Stars" of Think Tank Scholars by International Economy Magazine and is frequently quoted in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Economist and Business Week.
Sponsored by The University of Akron Department of Economics and the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, the lecture was free and open to the public. A reception followed the talk.
For more information about Ross Devol click here
New Faculty Member - Fall 2009
The department is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Shawn Rohlin to the faculty. Dr. Rohlin specializes in Public Finance, Urban Economics, Labor Economics and Applied Microeconomics. Dr. Rohlin received his P.h.D. from Syracuse University in May 2009.
Economics Department Newsletter
Fall 2010 PDF
