STUDENTS EXAMINE ECONOMICS

Nine Southeast Missouri State University economics majors got an in-depth look at roles of economists.

The students participated in an "Economist's Workshop" Oct. 21 in St. Louis that took them from the Federal Reserve Bank to a discussion session with economists at Southwestern Bell.

The trip was sponsored by the university's department of economics and several area banks: Amerifirst Bank, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, First National Bank, Mercantile Bank and Southeast Missouri Bank, all of Cape Girardeau; and First National Bank, Mercantile Bank and Amerifirst Bank, all of Sikeston.

"This is the first year for this activity," said Dr. Rebecca Summary, chairman of the department of Economics. "The purpose was to expose students to what economists do out in the real world and to give them some exposure to practicing economists. It also gave students the opportunity to practice professional business skills and to give them some business contacts for future job searches."

The trip allowed students the opportunity to tour the Federal Reserve Bank, to hear a presentation from a federal economist, and to tour Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

In addition, the students participated in a dinner meeting of the St. Louis Gateway chapter of the National Association of Business Economists.

After the dinner, students heard a debate on the economic programs of President George Bush and Gov. Bill Clinton. Debating were Laurence H. Meyer, president of Laurence H. Meyer and Associates and professor of economics at Washington University in St. Louis, and Murray Weidenbaum, director of the Center for the Study of American Business at Washington University and former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under former President Reagan.