IUP Summer Program in Economics
1998 - 2001

Another Successful Year:  The IUP Summer Program in Economics
by Dr. James J. Jozefowicz

For the fourth consecutive year, the Department of Economics and IUP’s Robert E. Cook Honors College hosted high school students from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the 2001 Summer Program in Economics. The participants in various summers have represented Indiana, Montgomery, Allegheny, Venango, Susquehanna, and Clinton counties, among others.

During the week, the young men and women attended classes on money and banking, game theory, public goods, experimental economics, international economics, sports economics, and the Stock Market Game. They, once again, ventured out into the wilderness to investigate remnants of the Frankstown-Kittanning Path, and they visited the Allegheny Portage Railroad and Horseshoe Curve. Unfortunately, the train passed just as they got off the bus in the parking lot at Horseshoe Curve and, despite their patience, no other trains came through during the visit. Better luck next time!

Another highlight of the week was the picnic at the house that, the two Drs. Jozefowicz had bought last year thanks to the Fed’s interest rate cuts! Fortunately, the weather was good. Mr. Cross engaged the students in a lively game of Frisbee while the burgers and hot dogs (in honor of Dr. Stonebraker) sizzled on the grill.

The students had fun during the program, and so did we. More importantly, they left IUP with a better understanding of just how much economics is a part of their daily lives. Yes, it was a challenge, but we managed to show them some of the economics behind dating, charitable giving, summer jobs, and N’Sync tickets!

When all was said and done, one participant summed up the experience like this, “I only wish I could have stayed longer because I have enjoyed this week so much.”  There is no better endorsement than that!