Alumni and current students stay connected when reading group goes virtual

Economics alumni and current student meet virtually to discuss current economic policies surrounding COVID-19.

Since professor of economics Lynn MacDonald began facilitating the economics reading group in 2008, she has met with students in person, over dinner, at a local restaurant – hard copies of that week’s book in hand.

In early spring of 2020 the reading group had to be re-imagined due to COVID-19.

Since then the reading group has met weekly over Zoom, and instead of a book in hand, online articles, webinars and other video content are the basis of debate and discussion. Articles range from academic journals to pieces from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Anna Nelson, a senior economics major from the North Metro greatly appreciates the preservation of community the reading group brings each week.  “Thanks to Zoom, we are able to check in on everyone’s mental state and keep some sense of community that was otherwise lost for many of us as we couldn’t go to work or meet for in-person classes,” she said.

While the face-to-face gatherings over dinner has been taken away, one thing the virtual meetings has added: alumni.

St. Cloud State economics alumni from all over the United States – Tennessee, Illinois, New York, and Oregon – join on a regular basis. One recent graduate joins from the United Kingdom.

Diego Guerrero ’19 (left) at a fall 2018 economics reading group.

“So far the meetings have been a great way for both current students and alumni to connect and to engage in critical thinking and discussion about economics and current events,” MacDonald said.

Joining the discussion from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is Diego Guerrero ’19. Guerrero, who is working on his doctorate in economics, sees the reading group as a way to keep in touch with different thoughts, experiences, and take time to both freely express and educate himself regarding a matter through discussion.

“Perhaps the most interesting discussion we had was on the consequences of COVID-19 for jobs and public policies, where we debated on the CARES Act, bailouts to industries, and the most vulnerable population during the pandemic,” says Guerrero.

The virtual reading group has been an excellent venue for current students to network with alumni as well as enhance learning outside the classroom.

“I think the best way to learn is by being challenged and debate. The ability to state your perspectives intelligently is a skill that will benefit each of us as we continue and complete our educational journeys,” Nelson added.

All current students and alumni are welcome to join the economics reading group. Contact Professor Lynn MacDonald by email to learn more: [email protected].