MU Economics Professor Appointed Ken Lay Chair in Economics

April 21, 2008

Story Contact:  Christian Basi, (573) 882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. ¬— Michael O’Brien, dean of the University of Missouri’s College of Arts and Science, has announced that Joseph Haslag has been appointed as the first Kenneth L. Lay Chair in Economics. Haslag has been a member of MU’s faculty since 2000.

“He’s a world class economist and will fit the Lay chair extremely well,” O’Brien said. “In the past, he has been a wonderful ambassador for MU and the college, helping us communicate our message about how MU impacts the state economically. He works on national and international research topics, but he also works for the state of Missouri.”

Haslag will continue in his role as executive director of the Economic Policy Analysis and Research Center.

Haslag’s research interests include macroeconomics, monetary theory, growth and development, and financial institutions. He is a member of the American Economic Association, Econometric Society and Society of Economics Dynamics. Haslag has published articles in numerous economics journals and is the author of Macroeconomic Activity and Income Inequality in the United States.

“I’m honored that the University would find my past research activity worthy of being appointed to this position,” Haslag said. “I want to continue to produce the best economic research that I can and transfer that knowledge to the students who are attending MU.”

Haslag received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from MU and his doctorate degree in economics from Southern Methodist University. In addition to his position at MU, Haslag has served as a senior economist in the research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He also has been a visiting scholar at Erasmus University in The Netherlands, the Federal Research Bank of Atlanta and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

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