Economics can be used to explain much of what happens around us—how people behave, what is produced, who gets what, and how government works. It allows one to see both the seen and the unforeseen.

People should both see and observe. Economics should produce this among students of the subject. The focus should be on the logic of how one action creates consequences that are both intended and unintended.  This can be used to determine why individual liberty is important and how government must be limited.

I have been at Hillsdale since 1989, and I particularly enjoy teaching undergraduates. The atmosphere is extremely cordial, with everyone working together, and the philosophy of the College is known, direct, and consistent with my views.

Hillsdale provides students with a quality undergraduate education. Professors are experts in their fields, but just as important, they have chosen teaching as their vocation. Unlike a school like UC Berkeley, which is a great institution and where I earned my Ph.D., undergraduates at Hillsdale are not taught by teaching assistants. If you want to go to a top research institution for graduate school, an undergraduate degree from Hillsdale will make this possible.

In addition, while there are a lot of fine schools that are regional in reputation, Hillsdale is national in reputation. If you want to work in Phoenix or New York, people will know of Hillsdale. This gives students here more opportunity than most other liberal arts colleges.

I used to spend my free time as a competitive distance runner seeking the Olympic Trials in the marathon, but at my age, those days are gone. I now spend time with family, give talks around the country, and consult on public policy issues, primarily at the state level. In fact, I took a leave of absence from 1991-1992 to serve as the Deputy State Treasurer for the State of Michigan and served as the Chief of Staff for Congressman Nick Smith from 1995-1996.