Harold G. Vatter Memorial Lecture
The Harold G. Vatter Memorial Lecture is an annual, premier department event. Regionally and nationally noted economists are invited to speak to the PSU audience and the general public on a policy or issue that is timely to current events. Past presenters have included Ed Glaeser from Harvard University, Matthew Kotchen from Yale University, Kimberly Clausing from Reed College, Josh Lehner, State Economist, Office of Economic Analysis, and E. Somanathan, Professor in the Economics and Planning Unit of the Indian Statistical Institute and Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University.
Jeffry Frieden, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science at Columbia University, and Professor of Government emeritus at Harvard University was the 2025 Vatter Lecturer. His topic was "Understanding the Backlash Against Globalization."
The 2026 Vatter Lecture information will be posted after the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. Details will be posted here.