Distinguished Rasmuson Chair of Economics

Elmer Rasmuson

The Distinguished Rasmuson Chair of Economics was created through a generous endowment by the late Elmer Rasmuson, a distinguished banker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. The purpose of the Chair is to “bring to UAA distinction and leadership in the study of economics and its relevance to Alaska’s future. The goals of the chair are to advance teaching of economics in Alaska, to advance research on topics of importance to Alaska, and to advance public policy in Alaska through service to the state.”

Since its inception in 2002, the Rasmuson Chair has been used to bring distinguished scholars to visit UAA for at least a semester. The first Rasmuson Chair was Vernon Smith who received the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics for his pioneering work in the field of experimental economics.

Distinguished Rasmuson Chairs of Economics

Dr. Vernon Smith	2003-2006 Professor Vernon Smith, a 2002 Nobel laureate in economics, served as the first Rasmuson Chair in Economics. Professor Smith is an economist at Chapman University, ICES Emeritus faculty at George Mason University, and president of IFREE.
Dr. James Murphy	2006-2011 2018-present In Fall 2006 UAA welcomed Jim Murphy as the second distinguished Rasmuson Chair. Jim is an accomplished experimentalist and resource economist who joined UAA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jim is actively engaged in using experimental methods in his research and teaching.
Dr. Robert Kurzban	2012-2013 The third Rasmuson Chair of Economics, Professor Robert Kurzban, served from 2012 to 2013. Rob is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. More information about his research can be found at his website.
Dr. Todd Cherry	2013-2014 From 2013 to 2014 Professor Todd Cherry served as the fourth visiting Rasmuson Chair. Todd is a Professor of Economics at Appalachian State University and is the Director of the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis.
Dr. Jason Shogren	2014-2015 Professor Jason Shogren from the University of Wyoming was the fifth visiting Rasmuson Chair of Economics. Jason is the distinguished Strook Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management at the University of Wyoming. He began his time as Chair in 2014.
Dr. Cary Deck	2015-2016 Professor Cary Deck was the sixth visiting Rasmuson Chair. Cary is a Professor of Economics in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Cary was in residence during the 2015-2016 academic year.
Dr. Timothy Cason	2016 In residence during the Fall 2016 semester, professor Timothy Cason was the seventh visiting Rasmuson Chair. Tim is the Distinguished Professor and Robert and Susan Gadomski Chair in Economics at Purdue University.
Dr. Bart Wilson	2017 The eight visiting Rasmuson Chair of Economics was Professor Bart Wilson, the Donald P. Kennedy Endowed Chair of Economics and Law at Chapman University.
Dr. Philip Grossman	2017 Philip Grossman is a professor in the Department of Economics at Monash University. Phil’s areas of research include experimental economics, behavioral economics, charitable giving, and leadership. He will be in residence for the duration of the Fall 2017 semester.