Economics

Alumni

Our alumni are an important part of the Department of Economics at Western Michigan University. Graduates of our programs apply economic thinking in a wide range of careers, including business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. This page highlights ways alumni stay connected to the department, share their experiences with current students, and continue to be part of the WMU Economics community.

There are many ways alumni from the Department of Economics at Western Michigan University can find the latest news from WMU:

Department Social Media
Other WMU Social Media

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This annual award is given by the department in recognition of the recipient’s achievement in their field.  Below is a list of recent award winners along with a brief biography (published in the WMU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Achievement Award program):

2025: Emily Hawrysz, B.B.A., ’09
2024: Seife Dendir, Ph.D. '05
2023: Isabel Ruiz, Ph.D. '06
2022: Mike Burns, MA '01
2021: Dawit Senbet, Ph.D. '07
2020: Paul Carlson, BA '87
2019: Sonila Beliu, Ph.D. '15
2018: William Waller, BS '78, MA '79
2017: David J. Donovan, BS ‘71
2016: David Stevens, BS ‘83
2015: Bill Monroe, BA ‘63
2014: Sam Valenti III, BA `67, MA ‘68
2013: Jon Robinson, BA ‘74
2012: Dr. Carlos Vargas-Silva, PhD ‘06
2011: Dr. Adugna Lemi, Ph.D. ‘01
2010: Kevin Haverdink, BA ‘97
2009: Dr. Alketa Hysenbegasi, MA Ph.D. ‘01
2008: Dr. Happy Siphambe, MA ‘89
2007: Glenn Gross, BA ’67, MA ‘68
2006: Dr. John Anderson, BA, ‘73
2005: Daniel Bitzer, MA ‘84
2004: Dr. Daniel Arce, MA ‘85
2003: Dr. Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes, Ph.D. ‘98
2002: Dr. Vinod Thomas, MA ‘71
2001: Anthony Tan, MA ‘89
2000: Charles Zhang, MA ‘91
1999: Louis Hellerman, BA '64

The annual Presidential Scholar designation is the highest honor WMU can bestow on an undergraduate. The award goes to the most outstanding seniors in each of the University's academic schools, departments and specialty programs. Recent winners include:

2026: Braydon Zupin
2025: Shanice Tan
2024: Chloe Wieber
2023: Cecelia Chapleau 
2022: Mahesa Saravanan
2021: Tyler Boes
2020: Claire Dziewicki
2019: Jacob Duberville 
2018: Keith Boeker
2017: Evan Kennedy
2016: Alec Kraus
2015: Zachary Munce 
2014: Christopher Thayer
2013: Eric Clover-Wadel 
2012: Nolan Sinkler 
2011: Casey Long
2010: Janelle Garchow
2009: Emily Hawrysz
2008: Kurtis Wickey
2007: Jeremy Sikkema
2006: Hon Cheah
2005: Ryan Breisach
2004: Brian Cheyne
2003: Ryan Hicks
2002: Michael Johnson
2001: Aaron Spiller
2000: Rachel Johnson
1999: Charles Lewis
1998: Mark Jahn
1997: Shigeyuki Yokokawa
1996: Keung Ung
1995: David Saslow
1994: Dora Hanna
1993: Darrell Dow
1992: Paul Niewiadomski
1991: Alfredo Lopez
1990: Terrance O’Rourke
1989: Zulkarnain Abu Hassan
1988: Penelope Tardiff
1987: Gerald Walls
1986: Rohaida Bte. Mohd. Ridzuan
1985: Gina Robertson
1984: Jesslyn Tavares
1983: Fauziah Abu Hassan
1982: Kathleen Cerveny
1981: Daniel Hayden

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most respected undergraduate honors organization. The Theta of Michigan Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was installed on Feb. 22, 1998. Below is the list of economics graduates inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

2026: Braydon Zupin
2024: Seezan Poudel, Gabriel Rodriguez-Nielson
2023: Ephraim Bahre, Cecelia Chapleau, Thomas Johnson, Chloe Wieber
2022: Mahesa Saravanan
2020: Clare Dziewicki
2016: Virginia Privett
2015: Karim Blake
2014: Anthony Sangalli
2013: Samuel Vann
2012: Jeffrey Cramer, Kendrick Hotte, Nolan Sinkler
2010: George Lluberes
2008: Janelle Garchow, Stacy Johnson, Kurtis Wickey
2007: Troy Louis
2006: Hon Cheah
2005: Ryan Breisach
2004: Alexander Morris
1999: Mark Jahn
1998: Joseph Perry

Check In With Us and Other Alumni

How are you doing? Where are you now? How has your degree  helped you? Contact us at (269) 387-5536 or or at econ-info@wmich.edu to let us know.