A team of Hamilton economics students took second place in the annual Fed Challenge in New York City on Nov. 14. This was Hamilton’s best finish to date and the second year in a row that the Hamilton team advanced to the final round. The Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate college students inspired by the working of the Federal Open Market Committee. Hamilton advanced to the finals after a first-round victory on Nov. 9.
There were two rounds of the competition held Nov. 14 at the New York Federal Reserve. The students competed in the semi-final round in the morning. In this round, they made a 15-minute presentation and answered questions from two New York Fed economists. In the afternoon, they competed in the final round, delivering a summary five-minute presentation and then answering questions from three different New York Fed economists.
Seniors Eric Boole, Danny Kaufman, Aislinn Shea and Amanda Thorman made the presentation. The students participated in the competition as part of Professor of Economics Ann Owen’s Monetary Policy class. Other students in the class who helped the presenters research and prepare for the competition were Greg Hyman, Jared Kochenash, Julian Ophals and Trang Nguyen.
The Fed Challenge is intended to encourage students to learn more about the U.S. macro economy, the Federal Reserve System and the implementation of monetary policy and financial stability. It is also aimed at spurring interest in economics and finance as subjects for advanced study and as the basis for a career. Ann Owen is a former Federal Reserve Board of Governors economist.
The trip was sponsored by the Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center.
