2008-2009 School Year

2008-2009 School Year

March 2, 2009

Workshop on opportunities with the State Department
Acting Ambassador of Mozambique, Todd Chapman

Todd Chapman the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. to Mozambique spoke to a group of 50 students about career opportunities with the State Department especially in the area of Foreign Service. This seminar was co- sponsored by the Wheaton College career services department.

February 25, 2009

2nd Panel Discussion on the Financial Crisis

One hundred and fifty individuals came out to hear financial industry leaders speak about their views on the current financial crisis. Panelists Included:

  • James Bowen, President of First Trust Financial Portfolios L.P.
  • Martin Essenburg, Managing Director of Global Securities, Standard Charter Bank in England
  • Dave Nielsen, President of Big Wave Advisors
  • Bruce Howard, Professor of Business and Economics, Wheaton College
  • Norm Ewert, Professor of Business and Economics, Wheaton College

February 12, 2009

Speaker J. Dennis Hastert Student Dinner
Todd M. Beamer Student Center, North Party Room

40 students met to hear from Speaker Hastert on issues of energy policy. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and hear stories from the Speaker.

February 5, 2009

Social Science Research Hour
Dr. Seth Norton

Dr. Norton Presented a paper entitled, "Economic Freedom and World Poverty" (with Jim Gwartney)
The Social Science Research Hour is an opportunity to foster an interdisciplinary intellectual culture in the Social Science Division through learned presentations followed by discussion. Faculty members, especially but not exclusively those from the disciplines in the division of social sciences, are encouraged to attend. Coffee and treats will be provided.

January 29, 2009

Speaker J. Dennis Hastert on Environmental Politics
Todd M. Beamer Student Center, Phelps Room

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert, discussed his experience with environmental politics and policy. He gave special attention to issues of energy policy and the environment.

January 15, 2009

“Integrating with the European Union: Luxembourg's Economic and Financial Markets”
Speaker: Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to the United States

Ambassador Senninger of Luxembourg addressed the process of Luxembourg’s integration with the European Union, including synthesizing their financial system to meet the guidelines of the EU.

November 24

“Seminar: Finding a Job in D.C.”
Brent Skorup

On November 24, the Center sponsored a seminar on finding a job at a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Washington, D.C. Brent Skorup, a Wheaton graduate currently at K.O.C.H Institute, taught the course.

November 12

Panel Discussion

The Center sponsored a panel discussion on the current financial crisis. Panelists included:

  • Mark Vaselkiv, Head of high yield fixed return assets at T. Rowe Price
  • Dave Nielsen, President, Big Wave Advisors in Wheaton
  • Martin Essenburg, Managing Director of Global Securities at Standard Charter Bank in England
  • P.J. Hill, Econ. Professor at Wheaton
  • Seth Norton, Econ. Professor at Wheaton

November 7

"Property Rights and Land Administration"
Martin Wubbe, Kadaster International

The Center sponsored a lecture on Friday, November 7 with Martin Wubbe and Javier Flores of Kadaster International. Kadaster advises both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations, on issues of property rights and land administration. Kadaster, originally a Dutch organization, is known for developing a successful method of organizing systems of real estate registration. According to Kadaster, land registration is imperative to the long-term success of developing nations. Without proper land registration systems, national stability and economic growth are threatened. The FPE is in the process of developing a program of collaboration with Kadaster and Wheaton College’s HNGR department to create student learning experiences abroad. Our hope is that students can work with the UN and local governments to survey land, evaluate methods of registration, and ultimately help to create a better system of land administration and governance.

October 29

"Venture Capital and Innovation"
Floyd Kvamme

"The Political Economy of Information Technology: East Asia and the role of China"
Floyd Kvamme

In October, FPE Advisory Board member Floyd Kvamme delivered two lectures on campus. Kvamme shared from his wealth of expertise and real world experience, encouraging students to pursue big ideas. Kvamme has been involved in venture capital with many start-up technology firms including Google and Amazon. He is a Partner Emeritus at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a high-technology venture capital firm, presently serves on five high-tech company boards including National Semiconductor, Harmonic, and Power Integrations, and served from 2001 to 2008 as Co-Chair of President Bush's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, (PCAST).

Lecture Transcript: "Venture Capital and Innovation" (PDF)

October 23 & 28

Speaker J. Dennis Hastert Student Dinners

Students brought tray dinners for an informal lecture from Speaker Hastert on the necessity of government. In addition, Speaker Hastert answered students’ questions and shared about his experience in the public sphere.

October 19th

"Latin America Under Globalization"
Javier Comboni

Dr. Javier Comboni delivered his inaugural lecture as the Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Professor of Political Economy and Director of the Wheaton College Center for Faith, Politics and Economics. In the lecture, Comboni discussed the responses of Latin American countries to the globalization.

September 19

“Economics and the Law”
Dr. Kenneth Elzinga

The Center and the Business & Economics Department co-sponsored a lecture with Economist Kenneth Elzinga. In the lecture Elzinga explored the role of antitrust law in the Leegin case, recently heard in the Supreme Court.