Alumni Newsletter September 2017
Western Economics 50th Anniversary Celebration
Western Economics celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2016-2017. Its largest event took place in October 2016 with an Anniversary Conference and Gala Dinner. This wonderful two-day event saw over 100 alumni, former faculty and friends of the Department return to campus to participate in its festivities. These events included the bestowing of honorary degrees to Professor Emeriti David Laidler and Michael Parkin, an Alumni Conference, lectures by former esteemed faculty, a distinguished panel of international experts on, “Lessons Learned from the 2008 Financial Crisis,” and finally, a Gala Dinner featuring an armchair discussion with alumni David Andolfatto, Vice-President, St. Louis Federal Reserve and Doug Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group.
The 50th Anniversary theme continues through this day – Western Economics is determined to remain a top department in Canada and continue on the path to world-class status. With our wonderful history to build on, which you can read about here, and new and exciting opportunities, like the Jarislowsky Chair in Central Banking and the new faculty appointments, highlighted in this Newsletter, Western Economics is poised to reach its goal of becoming one of the Top 30 Economics Department in North America.
To achieve this goal, the Department is strengthening its international linkages. We have launched a distinguished Visiting Scholars Program central to enhancing our graduate and undergraduate programming, our faculty research activities, our recruitment and retention of faculty and students, and our reputation worldwide. While Western Economics currently manages a successful seminar series, this Program will enhance it with additional speakers and financial support for longer visits.
Western Economics’ goal is to raise $500,000. Currently, we have raised over $200,000 and enhancements to our program are already evident. We invite you to support this Visiting Scholar Program by making a financial pledge through our Economics Excellence Fund. Your gift will ensure that future generations of students and faculty will continue to benefit from a vibrant and active environment for Western Economics – for its next 50 years! Thank you.
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