Economics

Soccer Alumnus Finds Career Win With Data Science

https://today.cofc.edu/2021/11/16/cofc-economics-major-takes-top-spot-at-gender-equity-pitch-competition/

Kelly Lifchez ’21, a double-major in economics and international studies, has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship, an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American college students. A program of the U.S. Department of State, the CLS scholarship is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.

Congratulations Kelly!

Each year the Fanchon Morrow Condon Memorial Outstanding Economics Student Award is presented by department faculty to the most outstanding student majoring in economics. This year’s winner is Kelly Lifchez. A graduate of the Honors College, Kelly is a double major in Economics and International Studies and will earn minors in Russian Studies and Mathematics. She is a Public Choice Associate in the Center for Public Choice and Market Process. Last year she served as Vice-President of the student body. Kelly has studied in Russia, and she has twice won a Critical Language Scholarship to study the Russian language. She has extensive experience with the International Model United Nations Association, and was an intern for the Migration and Development Research Group. Kelly is currently a semi-finalist for a Fulbright Award.

Congratulations Kelly!

Kelly Lifchez

Every spring semester, in conjunction with the Department of Economics, the Center for Public Choice and Market Process puts on Adam Smith Week. Through a variety of events, the week is a way to engage students, faculty, alumni and the community in a conversation on the ideas of Adam Smith and economics in general. This year’s theme was Women in Economics.

To emphasize the theme, this year’s speakers were exclusively female, and included Emily Chamlee-Wright (Institute for Humane Studies), Cate Johnson (University of West Virginia), Jayme Lemke (George Mason University), Beatriz Maldonado-Bird (College of Charleston), Maria Pia Paganelli (Trinity University), and Amy Willis (Liberty Fund).

For more details, go to http://sb.cofc.edu/centers/publicchoice/programs-and-events/adam-smith-week/index.php#schedule

This year’s winner of the Fanchon Morrow Condon Memorial Outstanding Economics Student Award is Will McEwen. A graduate of the Honors College, Will is a double major in Economics and Finance. He has been in the Market Process Scholars program for three years, and his work there resulted in a paper published in the prestigious Journal of Travel Research. During his career at the College, he participated in the Student Investment Program, and spent a summer interning in Germany. After graduation, Will plans to take a job with Vanguard.

Every spring semester, in conjunction with the Department of Economics, the Center for Public Choice and Market Process puts on Adam Smith Week. Through a variety of events, the week is a way to engage students, faculty, alumni and the community in a conversation on the ideas of Adam Smith and economics in general.

This year’s speakers included Bob Chitester, Peter Leeson, and Steven Landsburg. Many of this year’s talks were provocative, including Professor Leeson’s “Beneficent Bullshit: Some Economics of Superstition” and Professor Landsburg’s talks: “Is the World Overpopulated and How Would We Know?” and “What Do the Rich Owe to the Poor?” Over 450 students participated in the eight events of this year’s Adam Smith Week.

Steven Landsburg, Devoe Moore Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester

Each year the Fanchon Morrow Condon Memorial Outstanding Economics Student Award is presented by department faculty to the most outstanding student majoring in economics. This year, the department has chosen to recognize Mackenzie Schaich.

Ms. Schaich is an Aiken Fellow graduating from the Honors College with a dual degree in Economics and Data Science and a minor in Mathematics. For her Bachelor’s Essay, Mackenzie worked with the Office of Admissions to improve student retention rates at the College by creating a model that identifies students at risk of failing to meet scholarship renewal requirements.  She also volunteers at Mitchell Elementary School and mentors 3^rd-5^th graders in computer science foundations.  Mackenzie is currently an intern at Cox Automotive in Atlanta and has accepted a position with the same company once she graduates.  Her goal for the future is to leverage her skills in analytics and economics to become a corporate economist.

Mackenzie Schaich, 2019 Condon Award Winner

Amelia Janaskie (’20) is not just an economics student. She is also an English minor, and works for the College’s Writing Lab helping students polish their prose. On February 22, Amelia, along with fellow consultants Cassy Frierson and Chase Myers, and Writing Lab Director Bonnie Devet, participated in the Southeastern Writing Center Association Conference in Myrtle Beach. The four representatives from the College discussed “Has a Writing Client Ever … Reflection Cycle for Training.” We’re very proud of Amelia!

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Bonnie Devet, Cassy Frierson, Chase Myers and Amelia Janaskie

Several Economics Alums and Faculty attended the Business over Bourbon event on November 16. Good food, great bourbon and great friends made for a wonderful event.

Alum Ben Carew and Professor Peter Calcagno at Business over Bourbon