The Department of Economics is excited to report that two new donors and friends have established funds in support of the department and that several of our long-time donors have enhanced their support. Our students will benefit greatly from the generosity of these donors.

Donor Establishes the Ulrich F. Ernst Student Assistance Fund in Economics

The Department of Economics is honored to announce the establishment of the Ulrich F. Ernst Student Assistance Fund in Economics. Ulrich F.W. “Rick” Ernst studied economics at the Freie Universität, Berlin and the Christian-Albrechts Universität’s Institute for World Economy, Kiel, Germany. He then earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics at IU in 1967 and 1973, respectively. Nicolas Spulber was chair of his dissertation committee. Read about Dr. Ernst’s life and successful career here. His surviving spouse, Dianne C. Tsitsos, established the Ulrich F. Ernst Student Assistance Fund in Economics to celebrate her husband’s life and work, and particularly his interest in supporting and mentoring new generations of economics scholars. The department is sincerely grateful for this support.

The Department of Economics is honored to announce the Department of Economics Student Assistance Fund established by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The donor earned a B.A. in Economics at IU and wishes to express his gratitude for the training received in economics and provide support for future generations of students, both in their curricular and their co-curricular pursuits. The department is very appreciative of this new fund.

Robert N. Johnson (B.A. Economics 1988) has announced enhanced funding for the Robert N. Johnson Economics Encouragement Scholarship which he initiated in 2017. It is awarded at our annual Spring awards reception, to an economics major who is in or will be entering their senior year who has demonstrated academic excellence throughout their studies. Mr. Johnson has also been a supporter of our undergraduate career trips. Read more about Mr. Johnson in an article he wrote for the 2015 Trendline, pp. 25-26. We deeply appreciate Rob’s friendship and continued support.

Susan C. Thrasher (B.A. Economics 1974) has announced new funding for our doctoral students who excel as Associate Instructors. Susan has been generously supporting the department and our graduate students over many years. She initiated the Susan C. Thrasher Fellowship which was awarded to graduate students in Economics who had a record of academic excellence with preference given to a student writing his/her doctoral dissertation. The department is deeply grateful to Susan for the new commitment and her dedication to the department.

James K. Bergstrom (B.A. Economics 1999) recently assumed the position of Co-Chief Investment Officer at the IU Foundation and his wife Amy L. Bergstrom (B.S. Business, Computer Information Systems, Kelley School of Business, 1999) have been generous supporters of the department and have shared their plans for continued support. Jim and Amy, we are honored by your friendship and commitment to the department.

Ike Brannon (M.A. Economics 1989, Ph.D. Economics 1993) and Stephen M. Lewarne (M.A. Economics 1991, Ph.D. Economics 1992) are strong supporters of the Daniel J. Duesterberg Travel Award and have recently contributed significant new funds to it. This award honors the memory of Dan Duesterberg, an Economics Ph.D. alumnus, by providing travel funding for our Ph.D. students to present their research at conferences. Thank you, Ike and Steve!