2025 Josef Hadar Award recipient Michael Khoury

The Josef Hadar Award is given annually to a senior Economics major on the basis of academic excellence and creativity, especially as it relates to mathematics and research-oriented courses in Economics.  Professor Emeritus Hadar was the Department’s Director of Graduate Studies for many years.  He was well known for his mentoring of graduate students and directed many outstanding Ph.D. dissertations.  Professor Hadar also was an eminent researcher in the field of Economics of Uncertainty and the Theory of Stochastic Dominance.  This year’s Josef Hadar Award winner is Michael Khoury.  Congratulations Michael!

2025 Wallace F. Lovejoy Memorial Award recipient Andrew Farhat

The Wallace F. Lovejoy Memorial Award is given annually to a senior Economics major of the basis of academic excellence, creativity, motivation, responsibility, and an attitude of helpfulness toward other students.  This year’s Wallace F. Lovejoy Memorial Award goes to Andrew Farhat.  Congratulations Andrew!

Economics Awards and ODE Honorees

On April 22, 2025, the Economics Department recognized our amazing undergraduate and graduate students for being in inducted in to the SMU Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE). Over twenty-four students were recognized for their outstanding achievements in Economics as well as excellence in overall scholastic attainment.

Additionally we acknowledged and awarded four amazing students for being the ultimate overachievers among their peers in the department. We are honored to have such amazing students willing to go over and beyond for others.

  • Javier Gonzalez Rodriguez (The Melody Rice Award)
  • Andrew Farhat (The Wallace F. Lovejoy Memorial Award)
  • Michael Khoury (The Josef Hadar Award)
  • Nikolas Powers (The Award for Excellence)

Congrats Javier, Melody Rice Award!!!!

Javier Gonzalez Rodriguez received the Melody Rice Award by garnering the respect of his peers and by improving the quality of the PhD program along a number of dimensions. Firstly, as an active contributor to PhD student workshops, Javier elevates the intellectual rigor by disseminating findings from his own research, and through offering valuable feedback to his peers. Secondly, he has been instrumental in planning social events that engage both the PhD students and faculty, resulting in fruitful exchanges of ideas and collaboration.

Congratulations Javier, you deserve it! 🙂

Mykia Govia has been awarded the inaugural Moody School Administrative Partnership Award!

Our graduate advisor, Mykia Govia, has been awarded the inaugural Moody School Administrative Partnership Award. The award recognizes Mykia’s outstanding support for the doctoral and master’s students in Economics. We are all fortunate to have her! Congratulations, Mykia!

2025 Texas Camp Econometrics

SMU Faculty and PhD students attended the 2025 Texas Camp Econometrics on February 22nd and 23rd at Canyon of the Eagles near Austin. The conference is a mix of theory and applied work in both macro and microeconomics. Assistant Professors Alipio Ferreria and Wookun Kim, and PhD student Shuo Qi presented their research. The conference was attended by faculty and students  from UT, A&M, Rice, Houston, Dallas Fed and Stata Corp.

SMU Economics professor Dr. Beth Wheaton-Páramo leads the SMU Human Trafficking Data Research (HTDR) Project Team

SMU Economics professor Dr. Beth Wheaton-Páramo leads the SMU Human Trafficking Data Research (HTDR) Project Team (www.smu.edu/htdr) and participates in other anti-human trafficking activities, such as acting as judge for Eagle Venture Fund’s Global Pitch Competition.

Click here to see the related research and publications.