Advancing Economics, Transforming Lives
News from the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at MSU
July 2009
From the Department Chair
Each year, at the end of spring semester, the department takes a day to reflect on the accomplishments of the academic year and look forward to the challenges ahead. While we faced tremendous financial pressures in the 2008-09 academic year due to Michigan’s economic malaise, we have grown our program in many ways. Most notably:
- Total undergraduate enrollment increased
- Total number of undergraduate majors increased
- The number of graduate students increased.
We also take time during our annual faculty meeting to recognize people who have made significant contributions to the department’s research, teaching, and outreach missions. It is always a difficult task due to the number of faculty making exceptional contributions to our work. This year we recognized the following individuals:
- J. Roy Black for Extension and Outreach Activities
- John Staatz for Teaching
- Scott Swinton for Research
Full descriptions of these individuals’ notable accomplishments are found in this issue of Advancing Economics. We also summarize in this issue University Distinguished Faculty award winner Dr. Tom Reardon’s work in characterizing food systems in emerging markets. We were recently pleased to learn that John “Jake” Ferris repeated Les Manderscheid’s success in being recognized by the MSU Faculty Emeriti for outstanding contributions by an individual. As you read about my colleagues, I’m sure you’ll notice that we are leading the university in executing its mission to make a difference in Michigan and the world.
Our work to help the poorer areas of the world do a better job of feeding themselves has helped make MSU the largest producer of PhDs related to Africa in the country. At the same time we are investing resources in helping Michigan reverse its long term decline by helping to determine the feasibility of a wide array of bio-based industries and assessing overall economic development policy.
Even in these tough times, we continue to benefit from the generosity of our friends and alumni, who make financial contributions and also direct promising students to our programs.
Sincerely
Steve Hanson
Department Chair
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