News
Recognizing the power of applied economics at the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards
Graduates of the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota go on to a variety of meaningful careers in Minnesota and around the world. With the annual Outstanding Alumni Awards, the department recognizes three such graduates who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and a dedication to public service. In 2026, we celebrated Doug Huebsch, BS ‘85, Brigid Tuck, MS ‘99, and Keith Fuglie, PhD ‘89.
The same land may hold a secret for climate, wildlife, and economies
For decades, land-use decisions have been framed as a trade-off. Protect forests, wetlands, and grasslands, or convert them into farms, mines, and other sources of economic growth. Gains for nature were assumed to come at a financial cost, but new global maps challenge that assumption. Professor Stephen Polasky of the University of Minnesota led the team behind the study.
Minnesota Council on Economic Education Announces Leadership Transition: Celebrating Dr. Julie Bunn and Welcoming Dr. Bill Bosshardt
The Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is proud to announce a significant leadership transition designed to ensure the organization's continued impact and long-term sustainability. After a distinguished tenure serving as Executive Director since 2018, Dr. Julie Bunn is transitioning from her role in June 2026. Following a national search conducted in collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Department of Applied Economics (ApEc), the MCEE Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Bill Bosshardt as her successor.