Awards go to outstanding economics grad students
Aug. 26, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University Department of Economics has recognized two outstanding graduate students with departmental awards.
Sebastian Armasu is the 2003 winner of the Elias Harik Award, recognizing the department's outstanding new graduate student, while Jannaya Amornwittayarak has been awarded the Floyd Moore Award, recognizing the best student in the economics master's-level program who has either completed or is near completion of the program requirements.
Armasu completed his undergraduate degree in economics and business administration at the University of Iasi in Romania, using a six-year honors scholarship he received to attend that school. He is currently working on his master's degree in economics at WMU and has also been admitted into the doctoral program in applied economics. After completing his degrees, Armasu plans to teach at the university level.
Amornwittayarak, the daughter of Wisith and Chantana Amornwittayarak of Rakjan, Thailand, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Mahidol University in Bangkok, where she completed a thesis examining the science and technology management capabilities of the Thai hotel industry. After completing her second master's degree, she plans to work in financial analysis for a large company and eventually own her own import/export business in Thailand.
The Elias Harik Award was established more than 10 years ago by two WMU faculty members, Dr. Salim Harik, associate professor emeritus of economics, and Dr. Bassam Harik, associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Economics, as a memorial to their father. The award includes a $100 honorarium.
The Moore award was established in memory of Floyd Moore, a former WMU faculty member. The award includes a plaque and $450 honorarium.
Media contact: Matt Gerard, 269 387-8400, matthew.gerard@wmich.edu