CO
Chadwick O'Neal
  • Management
  • Class of 2017
  • Roswell, GA

Chadwick O'Neal presented at Academy of Economics and Finance Conference

2017 Mar 20

Eight students presented their research at the Academy of Economics and Finance Conference (AFE) in Charleston, South Carolina, with two tying for the top prize. Dean of the College of Business Dr. James Payne was designated as an AEF Fellow for his service as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Economics and Finance and his professional accomplishments.

Competing against students from across the country, senior business management major Chadwick O'Neal and senior economics major Justin Suda tied for first place for the Best Undergraduate Research Paper Award.

"The ability to present at the AEF conference meant a great deal to me. It allowed me to present my work to a large group of economists and allowed me to receive feedback on how to improve my work," said Suda, who researched how government contracts, specifically affirmative action laws, have affected female leadership and minority ownership of manufacturing firms. "My plans for the future are to continue my studies in economics by attending a Ph.D. program in economics."

O'Neal's research examined the impact of farm subsidies on crop diversification.

"This research was a challenge but also a joy to work on. It would not have been possible without Dr. Clark and Dr. Arias providing me with expert insight and feedback," said O'Neal, who is an economics minor. "Coming back from the week at the AEF made me appreciate the faculty at Georgia College and their willingness to interact with the students and help improve them in any way they can."

Other students who presented and their topics are:

1. Emma Brodzik, "Does Construction Type Affect Level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification?"
2. Kameron Griffin, "Does Race Impact Judicial Outcomes?"
3. Walker Head, "Does Where You Grow Up Affect your Chances of Being Drafted Into the NFL?"
4. Kevin Morris, "Does E.U. Membership Affect Levels of Corruption?"
5. Ashley Nowak, "Does the Southwest Effect Still Exist?"
6. Cameron Watts, "Too Big to Fail: A Neuroeconomic Analysis"

"This group of students did an outstanding job representing Georgia College. They presented in front of professional economists, fielded difficult questions about their research, and gained invaluable experience that will positively impact their futures. We are all very proud of them and their hard work," said Dr. Brooke Conway, assistant professor of economics.

Payne also received the Best Paper Award for this co-authored work with Maruska Vizek (Institute of Economics-Zagreb, Croatia) and Junsoo Lee (University of Alabama) entitled, "Stochastic Convergence in Per Capita Fossil Fuel Consumption in U.S. States" which is forthcoming in "Energy Economics" as part of a symposium on energy sector convergence guest edited by Payne along with Nicholas Apergis (University of Pireaus) and Bradley Ewing (Texas Tech University).