Economics Hosts a Series of Alumni Events throughout the Summer

Posted June 2, 2015

Chair of Economics David N. Laband and Assistant Professor Juan Moreno-Cruz hosted an Economics alumni dinner at the Strand Hotel Bistro on May 20 in New York City. On May 29, the School of Economics hosted an alumni event in Atlanta.

Among those who attended the dinner in New York were Joe Owens '77, Darlene Best '04, Jon Samon '01, Harpreet Mangat '99, and Brian McKinley '06. Beginning with Joe Owens and following the same order, these alumni have had careers in American Express (retired CFO), Paramount Pictures, Hogan Lovells US LLP (attorney), Mangat & Associates, and Wells Fargo (Assistant VP).

The following morning, Laband and Moreno-Cruz had breakfast with alumnus James Robinson '99, managing partner of CAERUS Investment Partners.

"In both cases the conversation included updates on events in the School of Economics as well as updates on the professional lives of each alumnus, as the alumni were connecting with each other," Laband reported. "Our attending alumni were very pleased that we came to them, very enthusiastic about the opportunity to connect with the School of Economics and very encouraging about the course we are on to improve the national reputation of the School."

The following week, Economics hosted their Spring Alumni Event on May 29, 2015, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Nearly twenty people attended the event, including alumni, faculty, staff, and current M.S. and Ph.D. students.

As one of the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks that makes up the Federal System, the Atlanta branch serves the Sixth Federal Reserve District, which consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. During the tour, the group was shown various types of currency, including a never circulated $100,000 bill. The Federal Reserve Bank also allowed the group to sit in the conference room typically reserved for meetings of the Sixth District Board of Directors. 

One alumnus was overheard exclaiming, “This is like the Disney World of economics!” After the tour, there was a lunch at Hudson Grille in Midtown.

Following the success of these events, Laband will be hosting future Economics alumni dinners during June and July in Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nashville, Houston, Austin, and Tampa. For those interested in joining a future alumni event in Atlanta, please save the date for the Fall Alumni Reception on October 23, 2015 at the Georgian Terrace Hotel.

View photos from the event.