Economics

Clock and Rec Center at night

Department Events

The Economics Department hosts our key annual event, the Harold G. Vatter Memorial Lecture, as well as presents seminars during select terms in the academic year . The Vatter lecture features a preeminent economist in their field discussing an important, topical issue. Our affiliated institutes also hold events throughout the year that highlight the issues central to their goals and missions.

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
  • 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

The 2026 Vatter Lecture speaker is Enrico Moretti, Michael R. Peevey and Donald Vial Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. His topic will be "The New Geography of Jobs: Understanding America's Economic Divergence." Professor Moretti’s research covers the fields of labor economics and urban economics.  He has received several awards and honors, including the Society of Labor Economists’ Rosen Prize for outstanding contributions to labor economics, the Carlo Alberto Medal, the IZA Young Labor Economist Award and a Fulbright Fellowship.

The lecture will be held on Thursday, May 7 from 4-5:30p.m. at the Native American Student and Community Center. This lecture is free and open to the public.

Institute Events

The department is affiliated with two PSU research institutes, The Northwest Economic Research Center and The Institute for Economics and the Environment. Each institute has its unique specializations and hosts yearly events.