Claremont, Calif. (December 21, 2015)—Pitzer College Assistant Professor of Economics Menna Bizuneh gave the keynote address at the graduation ceremony of Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies on December 16.
Bizuneh, who earned her PhD at Georgia State University, spoke about the value of the school’s degree, her experiences as a graduate student and the great, ongoing importance of relationships with faculty mentors and other alumni. She also encouraged audience members to use their new degrees to leave the world better than they found it.
“I hope that you will lead mankind to a place of respect and understanding,” Bizuneh told the graduating students. “I hope you get involved in order to make a difference (no matter how small or how big), and that you will pursue your passion on your own terms.”
Bizuneh, who taught courses in economics at Georgia State University, received GSU’s Theodore C. Boyden Excellence in Teaching Economics Award in 2011 and Service Award in 2010.
An expert in international trade and finance, Menna Bizuneh writes about fixed exchange rates, financial bailouts and monetary unions. This year, Bizuneh received a grant from the Consortium for High Achievement and Success for her project “Demystifying the Economics Major Shortage of Women in Minority Groups.” In 2013, she was awarded a grant from the African Development Bank to examine public attitudes toward the East African Monetary Union. Her articles have appeared in academic journals, including the Review of International Economics and Comparative Economic Studies.
In addition to earning her PhD in economics at Georgia State University, Bizuneh received her MS in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her BA in economics from Emory University. She also earned a BS in engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
