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Extension
economist Gary Smith is committed to providing interested students
the opportunity to experience, even if only briefly, the real world
of business and economics.
In 2001 Smith, as president of the Pacific Northwest Regional Economic
Conference, launched the first annual Northwest Economic Outlook
Symposium cosponsored by PNREC and WSU Puyallup. Held in Tacoma,
it brought together leading economic forecasters from four northwest
states and one of the nation's leading forecasting consultants to
present their economic outlooks for the coming year.
For
the 2002 symposium, Smith added an educational component to offer
students the opportunity to meet and hear from people working in
the world of business and economics. Calling it "Economics Beyond
the Textbook and Classroom," Smith arranged for symposium speakers
as well as other economics and business leaders to lead a variety
of sessions for the students. Sixty-five students also traveled
to Olympia where they toured state budget and economic forecasting
offices. WSU President Lane Rawlins, himself an economist, participated
in much of the event.
But it wasn't just WSU students. Smith's outreach brought in more
than 125 students and 20 faculty members from 11 higher education
institutions participating in the two-day eventó about double the
participation he expected. Each participating school committed $500
to defray expenses for up to 10 students.
"To me this is the paragon of extension engagement," Smith said.
"This is a new approach to extension, a statewide approach that
engaged students from such diverse schools as Eastern, Central,
Western, Pacific Lutheran, the University of Puget Sound, and local
community colleges."
Smith
started planning for 2003 before the gavel fell on the 2002 session.
November 13 and 14 are the planned dates. "This year I hope to have
more community college involvement," Smith said, adding that he's
already heard strong interest from Columbia Basin College among
others.
Seniors Denise Hamilton and Will Callicoat
of St. Martin's College in Olympia
have questions for Ernie Ankrim
following his presentation at
the 2002
"Economics Beyond the Classroom." |
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Gary Smith,
conference host |
Western Washington University economics professor Paul Storer brought
14 students from Bellingham to the 2002 session and had to turn
others away. He said it was the opportunity for students to see
firsthand what they can do as economists that attracted the high
interest.
Storer said the field trip to Olympia was particularly fascinating
for the students.
"It was a chance for them to see where the data they work with comes
from and how it's developed," he said.
For Will Callicoat, a senior at Olympia's St. Martin's College,
the value was in the experiential learning opportunity, and he's
recommending it to others.
"I learned more in one six-hour span than I would in a week of sitting
in classes. It brings the outside world to you and it shows you
the variety of opportunities that are available."
Fellow
St. Martin's senior Denise Hamilton agreed. "It helped me see how
to apply my education.
It expanded my horizons and helped me see how I can use my skills
in my career."
Ernie
Ankrim, chief investment strategist for the Tacoma-based financial
firm, The Frank Russell Company, spoke to a standing-room-only session
on career opportunities. Besides volunteering his time, the Russell
Company provided financial support for the program.
"In
most cases we don't get anything back in terms of new clients or
employees, but that's not the point," he said. "We believe it's
an important role of a successful business to give back to the community.
This was an excellent opportunity to do something with WSU."
Denny Fleenor,
Information Department
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