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 continue supporting our students and faculty throughout this transition, I invite you to make 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, 1326 undergraduates had declared economics as their major, a 4.2 percent increase from last year. Our first-ever combined commencement program for undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. students celebrated more than 700 graduates this past year.
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 had a strong Ph.D. application pool this past year, 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. I hope you will support the Department of Economics by making a gift to the Economics Strategic Fund today. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our community.
Go Blue!
Mel Stephens Jr.
Interim Chair of Economics
Professor of Economics
