Fall 2007: Economics

ECONOMICS may seem to be an art (or even magic) to some, while many others see it as strictly science. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. Certainly, consumer culture has embraced the field of economics, due much to best-selling books like Freakonomics and The Tipping Point.

Judging by the wisdom of the crowd, “Freakonomics” – the application of the dismal science to address a wider range of societal issues (crime rates, education reform, baby names, drug dealing) in a compelling, often controversial and exceedingly user-friendly manner – has passed the tipping point.

With such a definition, a background in economics could only lay the groundwork for careers as diverse as the students themselves. Baylor economics graduates are no exception. Not only are economics graduates scholars, economists and lawyers, but also diplomats, physicians, judges and entrepreneurs. We have profiled some successful alumni of Hankamer’s Economics department as they make their marks on their communities, states and the world.

The Census Bureau estimates about 44 million Americans do not have Health Insurance. The subject of health care insurance in America is a political and polarizing issue. Doubtless, you have heard presidential candidates from both sides of the political spectrum espousing their views on this issue in the media. Now, two respected economists at Baylor have put their heads together in an effort to propose a centrist solution to the American health care problem.

Patricia ‘Sister’ Schubert, founder of Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls, began her career in the food business in 1989 in her hometown of Troy, Ala. Schubert started taking orders for her rolls at a small church frozen food fair, and within a few years she was able to expand her market to Ingram’s Curb Market in Troy and several other food corporations.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?

If you are a forensic economist testifying as an expert witness, choose your words wisely. Don’t forget to be well-spoken, intelligent, charismatic and unbiased as you present a hopefully error-free analysis of economic damages. After all, there are only millions of dollars and people’s lives at stake. No pressure.

Requests still arrive for Distinguished Professor Earl Grinols to comment on the costs and benefits of casino gambling to legislative bodies and businesses, but the frequency varies.

Some are more colorful than others, such as a recent entreaty from a grass-roots group trying to block an attempt to put a casino near the Civil War battleground in Gettysburg, Pa.

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ROBERT C. GOODWIN, BBA, who was previously named by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce as its Volunteer of the Year in 1998 and McAllen Man of the Year in 1985 was recently honored with an award named in his honor. “The Bob Goodwin Award” is presented to McAllen Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors who exceed $10,000 in chamber memberships. Goodwin has exceeded $50,000 in McAllen Chamber of Commerce Memberships. He has been a resident for 39 years and is employed by the Texas State Bank headquarters. He is married to Linda Hull Goodwin, BA ’60.

Baylor Grieves Loss of Dr. Carlos Moore

Carlos William Moore, The Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, passed away on Sunday, May 27, at the age of 64, in Emmett, Texas. During the course of his teaching for 36 years at Baylor, Moore had been honored as a Distinguished Professor by the Hankamer School of Business. Moore also coauthored a textbook, and was engaged in researching and publishing major findings in the area of business ethics.

THE BAYLOR BUSINESS NETWORKS:add value to your Baylor experience, allowing you to build relationships that are beneficial to you personally and professionally throughout your career : Enhance the value of your Baylor experience through networking and professional development : Serve and mentor recent Baylor graduates : Foster communication among Baylor alumni : Create potential business development opportunities.

Many of us will face a Financial Crisis at some point in our lives. Catastrophic events such as family illness, the death of the primary breadwinner, the unexpected loss of a job, or a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina can alter one’s financial solvency in the blink of an eye. In such circumstances one’s very livelihood, once secure, is drastically upended and life becomes a daily struggle to pay bills, evade haranguing phone calls from creditors and protect the family home from foreclosure.

Economist Strives to Create a Perfect World with Research

Van Pham is not just an economist. Van Pham is a humanitarian. He wants to save the world and in his own way, he is doing just that.

Pham, assistant professor of Economics, hopes that his work will contribute to the field of Economics in general and the improvement of the standard of living in third-world countries.