Department News
Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector Prepares for a New Year
The Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector class (ECON 324) will again be offering $10,000 in funding to a worthy local charitable (501(c)(3))organization. The source of the money is Doris Buffett's Sunshine Lady Foundation.
Students will simulate the activities of a foundation. They will write a mission statement, solicit applications for funds, and select recipients. The mission statement and application form should be available on or about October 1. The application deadline will be on or about November 1. The grant (or grants) will be announced at a public ceremony on Tuesday, December 2. Additional details will be posted as they become known on the project web page at http://people.umw.edu/~rrycroft/philanthropy2008.
This is the fourth year the course has been offered. Previous recipients of grants have included Hope House, the Fredericksburg Regional Boys and Girls Club, Rebuilding Together, Homes for America: Heritage Park Academic Achievement Program, National Housing Trust/Enterprise Preservation Corporation and Fredericksburg Counseling Services. This course will be an annual offering at UMW for quite some time in the future. (posted 8/15/2008)
ODE Inducts New Members
The UMW Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon (the national economics honor society) inducted new members at its Spring meeting. The new members are: Trevor Daubenspeck '08, Kathryn Maura '08, Wes Palmer '09, Margaret Graybeal '09, Erin Kelly '09, Billy Swanson '08, Will Hawk '08, Sarah Ball '09, Neil Dixit '09, Stephen Bailey '09, Christopher Siepmann '08, Melanie Walter '09, Melissa Kirby '09, Stephanie Rzepka '09, Julie Milam '09, James Fowler '08, Tristan Diaz '09. and Ashley Hobbs '08. Officers for 2008-09 are Melanie Walter, president, Christine Exley, vice president, Erin Kelly, treasurer, and Marge Graybeal, secretary. (posted 6/4/2008)
Rycroft to Present at Bowling Green University Service Learning Conference
Professor Robert S Rycroft is an invited speaker at Bowling Green State University's Teaching Conference on Social Science Education: The Integration of Critical Thinking to Service-Learning Courses.. The topic of his presentation is Studying Philanthropy and Doling Out Real Cash. The conference will be held March 28. (posted 3/26/2008)
Economics Majors Elected to Phi Beta Kappa
Four economics majors--Christine Exley '08, Julie Milam '09, Margaret Graybeal '09, and Brandon Shapiro '08--have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious national academic honor society. They join Stephanie Burns '08 who was elected in 2007. Margaret was named recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Award, a scholarship given to a new member who will return next year and who best exemplifies the ideals of Phi Beta Kappa. The UMW chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is known as Kappa of Virginia. (updated 4/7/2008)
Practice Session for Eastern Economics Association Convention
A group of Mary Washington economics majors will be presenting papers at the Eastern Economic Association conference March 7 - 9 in Boston. On Monday, Februrary 25 they will present their papers at a mock conference in Meeting Room #1 of the Campus Center starting at 5 PM. Eveyone welcome to attend.
Presenters:
Erin Beddingfield
“The Effect of Increasing Fuel Efficiency on Passenger Motor Vehicle Travel in the State of Virginia”
Julia Behrman
“What Factors Impact the Level of Health of a Country”
Christine Exley
“Why Do People Commit Crimes Again”
Margaret Graybeal
“The Gender Earnings Difference: A Closer Look at Family Obligations and Self-Employment”
Will Hawk
“The Honduran Stove Project”
Issac Knowles
“Give Unto Us What is Caesar's: A Common Agency Model of Corruption”
Katie Mauro
“Women’s Suffrage: The Passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution”
Sierra Stoney
“Perpetuating Stereotypes: The Effect of Segregation on Housing Demand”
Billy Swanson
“Trade Liberalization and the Returns to Capital”
(posted 2/22/2008)
Rycroft Elected President of Omicron Delta Epsilon
Professor Robert Rycroft was elected president of Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) at the recent ODE Board of Director's meeting in New Orleans. ODE was founded in 1915 and is one of the world's largest academic honor societies with over 590 chapters located in the United States and several countries around the world. The objectives of the Society are recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievement in economics; the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities; the publication of its official journal, The American Economist, and the sponsoring of panels at professional meetings as will as the Irving Fisher and Frank W. Taussig competition. (posted 1/9/2008)
UMW Economics Majors Complete Fall Internships
Two UMW economics majors completed internships during the Fall 2007 semester. Follow this link for a description of Joe Berger's intership with the Washington Capitals hockey team. Ashley Hobbs' internship with Genocide Watch is described here. For descriptions of many past internships, follow this link. (posted 1/18/2008)
ECON 324 - Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector class Announces Grant Recipients
Students in Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector awarded two grants on Tuesday, December 4. The National Housing Trust was awarded $7,500 for the Hazel Hill Apartments Community Enrichment After-School Program that will provide tutoring services to the elementary school students who live there. Fredericksburg Counseling Services was awarded $2,500 to fund the Bounce Back Group, a resiliency group of children who live in shelters, and individual and family counseling services. The course was funded by Doris Buffett's Sunshine Lady Foundation.. (posted 12/13/2007)
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