WWW.MARSHALL.EDU/FOUNDATION “Genuine curiosity should guide your learning, not so that you become the expert, but so that you may build others up,” said Jordan McMaster. And building up a crowd based on his knowledge of economics is exactly what this junior economics and finance student recently did. He and faculty member Dr. Harlan Smith II, professor of economics, created a presentation to explain the economic perspective of the new tax reform, titled “Making Sense of Today’s U.S. Economy: Possibilities and Pitfalls.” They presented it at a program called Marshall Monday at the Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington. The program is a collaborated effort that is exclusive to residents and organized by The Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association to send a monthly speaker from the university. McMaster, an Ironton, Ohio native, learned some things from this collaboration with Dr. Smith that could not have been taught in the classroom. Together, the pair researched and constructed the presentation; an experience McMaster described as an unbelievable opportunity. “The Woodlands crowd was the perfect audience,” McMaster said. “They were curious and able to discuss complex topics in such a respectful manner; it was quite refreshing. I truly learned the difference between presenting to an uninterested class and a genuinely curious audience. They were incredibly intelligent, eager to learn and actually ended up teaching me more than I think I brought to the table. It was an amazing experience that I hope to get to be a part of again.” McMaster, who currently works as an economist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, plans to continue his current job while he pursues his master’s degree in economics. “Ultimately, I would like to obtain a Ph.D. in economics. It would be an honor to work my way into academia full time,” he explains. “It has been an honor and a privilege to learn from many of the individuals within the economics department. Dr. Catherine Chen and Dr. Smith have such a genuine passion for economics, and fortunately, their passion has spilled over into my life. Learning from these two individuals, for me, has been an unforgettable experience and truly life-altering.” Adding to that, McMaster believes Dr. Smith teaches so that students not only understand the topic, but the context around it, as well as the importance of approaching a subject in an unbiased opinion from all angles. “When I think of Jordan, as a student, the words that come to mind are organized, focused and proactive. He is determined to make the most of his education here at Marshall and he maps out his activities accordingly,” said Dr. Harlan Smith. “One element of Jordan’s approach to his education that stands out is this: he is a reader. A reader of business-focused books, magazines and newspaper articles, outside of class, regardless of class requirements. Last Fall, at the start of the semester, Jordan asked if I could recommend a book or two that would give him more perspective on economic and financial issues facing our economy today. I found a book for him that I thought would work nicely and he actually found time to read it over the course of the semester; remarkable and impressive.” While McMaster is double majoring and working full time, he is also tackling minors in mathematics and international affairs. He looks forward to better understanding and improving his abilities to apply mathematics to what he is learning in economics and finance and says his economic theory course has been overwhelmingly interesting. McMaster and Dr. Richard Agesa, division head of finance and economics and professor of economics, recently received funding for a research proposal that suggests Huntington, West Virginia, may improve its economic despondency by responsibly accepting its role as a choice architect, an entity capable of influencing decisions, in a world full of irrational behavior. Still allowing freedom of choice, the city may nudge the public toward better overall decisions regarding health and wellness, education and personal finance for a localized population. This behavioral economic approach would supplement the local government’s usage of traditional economic theory, creating long-term opportunities for a better off population. McMaster and Agesa will continue research through the Summer and present their findings at a conference at summer’s end. In his free time, McMaster enjoys playing the piano and drumming at open mic nights. He also believes genuineness is everything and is giving back his time through the Big Brother Big Sister program, where he is currently striving to teach his “little brother” to see the best of the local community. “The more people genuinely give, whether it be a unique skill, a personality trait or a surplus of some resource, the more they’ll get in return,” explained McMaster. “In the absence of expecting some return, it’s a feedback loop that leaves us all better off.” A Surplus for Learning Pictured: Jordan and Dr. Harlan Smith presented “Making Sense of Today’s U.S. Economy: Possibilities and Pitfalls” at the Woodlands.