Category: Faculty

Professor Fomby contributed to the book “Teaching Econometrics: A Tribute to R. Carter Hill.”

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We are so pleased to announce the publication of Professor Fomby recent contribution to the book “Teaching Econometrics: A Tribute to R. Carter Hill.”  The book is full of insights on the teaching of econometrics and the contributions of econometrics to the various fields in economics and related disciplines.

Not only known for his stellar research, Carter Hill is also known as one of the finest pedagogists of econometric techniques in our time.

See https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-97942-2 for access to Professor Fomby’s and others’ chapters. Professor Fomby’s chapter “Teaching Econometrics Students How to Model Bivariate Time Series Using Monte Carlo Data for the Purpose of Validating Leading Indicators” is included on pages 207-223. 

Professor Beth Wheaton-Paramo will share her insights in DCII’s Big Challenge Series on Understanding Migration

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Please join the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute for the November event of the DCII’s Big Challenge Series on Understanding Migration.

In a “lightning round” format, five SMU professors from different academic disciplines will share their insights into commonly misunderstood aspects of human migration, providing a richer picture of migration patterns, causes, and effects than one might glean from American news headlines. The panel features Law Professor Natalie Nanasi, Political Science Professor James Hollifield, History Professor Bianca Lopez, World Languages and Literatures Professor Hervé Tchumkam, and our Economics Professor Beth Wheaton-Paramo.

Register here for the event.

100 Years of Excellence!

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On April 30th the Economics Department celebrated the incredible careers of Tom Fomby and Raj Deb who each gave 50 years of teaching and service to SMU. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, memories, and heartfelt appreciation for their many contributions to the department and the Economics profession. Wishing them a well-deserved, happy, and enriching  retirement.

2025 SMU Human Trafficking Data Conference on June 9-10, 2025

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SMU Human Trafficking Data Research (HTDR) Project Team (www.smu.edu/htdr) is honored to host these dynamic speakers at the 2025 SMU Human Trafficking Data Conference: Strategies for Effective Human Trafficking Data on June 9-10, 2025. 

Content will include presentations, breakout and networking sessions, and innovation highlights. The main areas of focus are law enforcement, nonprofit, medical/healthcare, legal, survivor leadership, and research/data science.

Date: Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Location: Frances Anne Moody Hall on Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus

About the Conference
Registration (Deadline: Monday, May 19)

Browse the contents of SMU Human Trafficking Data Conference: 

Conference Schedule

Professor Ömer Özak to receive the Thomas W. Tunks Distinguished University Citizen Award

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Professor Ömer Özak has been selected to receive the Thomas W. Tunks Distinguished University Citizen Award at the faculty’s University Graduation Breakfast.

The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding citizenship through dedicated service to the University and its governance.

Congratulations, Professor Özak!

Professor Sposi discussed trade deficits and tariffs at the DFW chapter of NABE

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Professor Sposi gave a luncheon presentation to the D/FW chapter of the National Association for Business Economics about trade deficits and the effects of tariffs.

Summary: Two fundamental principles from national income accounting. First, a country’s trade deficit, defined to be its imports minus its exports, is the same as the country’s income minus its spending, which means fiscal policy (part of spending) cannot be ignored. Second, a country’s deficit also equals its investment minus its saving, which means that international finance (foreign borrowing, FDI) cannot be ignored either. When it comes to bilateral deficits, it is imperative to consider value-added measures of trade, in addition to traditional gross measures, to account for global supply chain linkages.

Link to the presentation slides below: 

https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/people.smu.edu/dist/b/1355/files/2025/04/Sposi-Slides-20250428.pdf 

Dr. Hao Dong receives the 2025 Mangum Family Teaching Award!

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The Economics Department’s 2025 Mangum Family Teaching Award goes to Dr. Hao Dong!

Dr. Dong is an econometrician researching the nonparametric and semiparametric methods. An accomplished econometrician, Dr. Dong has taught some of our most technically challenging courses offered by the department. His dedication to students is appreciated by the department and cherished by his students! 

Economics Awards and ODE Honorees

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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)

2025 Texas Camp Econometrics

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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.