Economics 495, Senior Session in Economics, was introduced in 1978 as a capstone experience for senior economics majors. In 1986, through the generosity of the Cornelson Endowment, the Senior Session became fully endowed. The Cornelson Endowment recognizes and honors members of the Cornelson family. Income from the Cornelson Endowment has enabled the Economics Department to host the Cornelson Distinguished Lecture.

Each year there is a presentation by a prominent economist. In Spring '13 we were happy to have Dr. Daron Acemoglu.  

Professor Acemoglu was awarded the John Bates Clark Medal in 2005 as best economist under age 40, and was named one of Foreign Policy magazine's "100 Global Thinkers for 2012."

He is co-author of the bestseller, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, which explores why some nations prosper and others fail, and concludes that man-made political and economic institutions underlie economic success

The lecture can be listened to on the Podcast link below:

 http://blogs.davidson.edu/podcasts/2013/04/24/daren-acemoglu

 The Department of Economics extends its sincere appreciation to the Cornelson family.