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May 21, 2007 Benson's fascination with economics led to a presentation of his honors thesis at a conference in Turkey in April.
Student profile: Alan Benson
Major: Industrial and labor relations Why did you choose Cornell?
Cornell's spacious campus, vibrant culture and diverse academic opportunities fit my image of a great American research university and the stimulating and welcoming home that I was seeking. Main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is this important to you?
My home-within-a-home since freshman year has been Phi Sigma Pi, a coeducational honors and community-service fraternity. It embodies the values that I hold dear at Cornell -- including an open and yet loyal community that takes its public service mission seriously. While at Cornell, what other accomplishments/activities are you most proud of?
Tutoring for economics and statistics. Too many students -- and perhaps all 50 or so of the ones I tutored! -- have some aversion to my beloved econ and stats. I hope some of my enthusiasm has rubbed off on them! Your most profound turning point while at Cornell?
My first eight-week term of my year abroad at Oxford University. Aside from the rigorous course work, I got addicted to rowing, ultimate Frisbee and Oxford's intense social life. For those sleepless eight weeks, my life was completely new, just like it had been when I first came to Cornell. The two most important, and potentially incongruous things that came out of my Cornell education: I developed a fascination with economics, and I developed a love for cultivating interesting choices. Who or what influenced your Cornell education the most?
Professors Sonnenstuhl, Salvatore, Bronfenbrenner and Kuruvilla, to name only a handful. I've worked with Professor Maria Cook and her husband, Lance Compa, on a series of projects. I simply can't overstate what a privilege it was to work with such passionate, clear-thinking and sincere people. What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
I think Cornell's greatest virtue is the opportunity to try new things in a safe and free environment. In April I presented my honors thesis at an economics conference in Turkey, and much of the rest of the time will be spent with my friends cherishing my last moments as an undergraduate Did you change direction in any of your beliefs or interests during your time at Cornell?
I feel like I've become more open to personal change, and I even seek out opportunities to be in diverse and stimulating environments. What are your plans for next year and beyond?
Next year, I'll begin work on my Ph.D. at MIT, under many faculty who have had very close relations with the ILR School. |
