Duke Econ Celebrates 10 Staff and Faculty Anniversaries
Ten Economics faculty and staff members are celebrating major departmental anniversaries this year.
As we celebrate the years they have spent with Duke Econ, we want to acknowledge the role their knowledge, expertise and relationships have played in supporting the department's educational and research goals. Their contributions have been essential.
20th anniversaries
Lori Zagiba, Business Manager
What do you like most about Duke Economics?
When I first arrived, I thought the department felt much like a “family.” Despite the growth we have seen — and the unusual conditions we have experienced since COVID disrupted our usual way of working — a family-like bond and connection to others remains.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
I have found that what I do (i.e. specific tasks) is much less important than why. Remembering that even the smallest tasks ultimately support the mission of higher education makes those tasks more meaningful. And most important of all is “who” I work with…I am very grateful to be a part of a fantastic team!
Chris Geddings, Senior IT Analyst
What has changed most since you arrived at Duke?
There has just been a lot of life. I’ve worked in three distinct roles while at Duke, and each is different and the same. I started in the same building I currently work in, and it has been satisfying to return and now having spent most of my time engaged in working in the Social Sciences building, and connecting to research primarily focused on the human condition.
For me, there has been an unfolding process that will continue for the rest of my life in embracing that desire to understand what it means to be more human. The depth of understanding I have around that desire of mine has deepened during my time at Duke.
What have you felt good about accomplishing in your role and in your time at Duke?
In the work I have done with technology both at Duke and outside of Duke, I find that sometimes the tech world forgets that what we do is really about serving people and clearing pathways for others. The service aspect of this work sometimes gets lost. I feel like when I’m at my best in my role at Duke, I’m able to connect to that work in service, even if it is imperfectly.
15th anniversaries
Patrick Bayer, Gilhuly Family Distinguished Professor
What do you like most about Duke Economics?
I have really enjoyed being part of a growing department that has expanded intellectually into many new areas of research and has been creative and innovative in always looking for ways to improve the research and teaching environment.
I also really appreciate the efforts our department has made in recent years to directly address issues of diversity and equity, both within our department and discipline as a whole.
Finally, I really like that our department is generally a friendly, collegial and supportive place to come to work every day. The department staff has always been especially fantastic in helping to create this kind of environment.
Kevin Douglas Hoover, Professor
What have you felt good about accomplishing in your role and in your time at Duke?
I was brought to Duke to ensure the stability and continuity of Duke's long-established excellence in the history of economics. It has been a great pleasure to have worked with more senior colleagues and with other faculty who arrived later to build on that tradition in creating the Center for the History of Political Economy and cementing Duke's preeminent position in the field. Duke is widely recognized as the single best place to conduct research in the history of economics and has become a Mecca for historians of economics from around the world.
Also celebrating a 15th anniversary
Atila Abdulkadiroglu, Garonzik Family Distinguished Professor
10th anniversaries
Addie Stagg, Assistant to the Director of Graduate Studies MA Programs
What do you like most about Duke Economics?
I guess I would say the best thing are the friends made that also comprise one of best support systems I’ve known and had.
Daniel Yi Xu, Professor
What has changed most since you arrived at Duke?
The variety of choices for lunch and the dining hall. :)
What have you felt good about accomplishing in your role and in your time at Duke?
Advised 30+ Ph.D students' theses and saw our students growing into excellent researchers and young professionals.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Intellectual curiosity is always fun, but it takes perseverance and discipline to get the job done.
Also celebrating a 10th anniversary
Attila Ambrus, Professor
Erica Field, Professor
5th anniversaries
Adam Rosen, Professor
What has changed most since you arrived at Duke?
Obviously COVID is a big change! I feel good that we’ve been able to continue to offer instruction and advising for our students during this turbulent period.
