Dear Friends,
In the Department of Economics, we have some exciting changes on the horizon. The biggest, of course, is the renovation of our beloved Lorch Hall. In December 2025, we temporarily relocated to North Quad while Lorch is transformed into a modern, sustainable home for our department. As we support our students and faculty through this period of transition, I hope you will consider making a gift to the Economics Strategic Fund. Your support provides the flexibility to invest where it is needed most and helps ensure that our students continue to thrive during this exciting new chapter.
Our undergraduate program remains one of the largest majors in the College of LSA. As of the Winter 2026 semester, 1,326 undergraduates had declared economics as their major, a 4.2 percent increase from last year. April 2026, our first-ever combined commencement program for undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. students celebrated 777 graduates.
We continue providing tutoring services for undergraduate students enrolled in foundational courses, helping build a strong foundation for success in the major. In addition, our career exploration course, Econ 208, connects undergraduate students with accomplished alumni who provide career insights and mentorship, while our student organizations expand opportunities for leadership, engagement, and professional growth. We also received 789 PhD and 296 MAE applications for Fall 2026, which shows our continued commitment to bringing in talented students and creating an outstanding learning environment.
At the same time, we continue to attract exceptional faculty whose teaching and research create new opportunities for our students and strengthen our department. We have welcomed four new faculty members for the current academic year, deepening our expertise and expanding research opportunities for students at every level. We encourage you to visit our website to learn about the cutting-edge research our faculty are engaging in daily: lsa.umich.edu/econ.
As we enter this new chapter, the Economics Strategic Fund allows us to invest where it matters most: in student scholarships, faculty research, advising and mentorship, innovative course offerings, and programs that enrich the Michigan Economics experience. Your gift is a powerful investment in the future of Michigan Economics and opens doors for the next generation of leaders, researchers, and policymakers. We sincerely appreciate your support of the Department of Economics through a gift to the Economics Strategic Fund. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our community.
Go Blue!
Mel Stephens Jr.
Interim Chair of Economics
Professor of Economics
