NEWS

Economics students take part in Federal Reserve Bank program

Apr 17, 2015 | Business

Five Louisiana Tech University economics students participated recently in the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ 2015 Economics Scholars Program to learn more about the science of economic research and its presentation.
From left – Hunter Greene, Dr. Robert Blackstock, Sarah Funderburk, Michael Lites, Erica Stewart, Priya Raj and Dr. Jared Egginton.

From left – Hunter Greene, Dr. Robert Blackstock, Sarah Funderburk, Michael Lites, Erica Stewart, Priya Raj and Dr. Jared Egginton.

Hunter Greene, Sarah Funderburk, Michael Lites, Priya Raj and Louisiana Tech’s 2014 Economics Student of the Year Erica Stewart, traveled to Dallas to participate in the program with undergraduates from 40 universities around the country. “We could not be more proud of this group of young scholars,” said Dr. Rob Blackstock, assistant professor of economics at Louisiana Tech. “Not only did they represent Louisiana Tech with grace and maturity, they held their own academically against some of the brightest young minds in the country. I can’t wait to see what they do next year.” Blackstock and Dr. Jared Egginton, Louisiana Tech assistant professor of economics, joined the group of students on the trip. Blackstock said the group is not only planning to return next year, but will present original research that will prepare them for graduate school and professional careers. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Economics Scholars Program (ESP) is a collaborative effort between Austin College and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to foster the involvement of undergraduate economics students in all facets of research. The cornerstone of the ESP is the annual ESP Conference where faculty from institutions across the U.S. and Canada come together to share undergraduate student-initiated or student–faculty coauthored works, ideas about the role of undergraduate research in the curriculum and the challenges and concerns of undergraduates who conduct research. Written by Reggie Owens – regowens@latech.edu