For students studying economics at Loyola, the country’s deep recession is, ironically, actually having a positive impact on their lives.

“Economics careers have just been given a boost,” said Walter Block, a Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Chair in Economics and Loyola Professor. People with economics expertise are now in demand, Block said.

“I’ve been interviewed (many times) on TV and radio,” Block said, citing the numerous times he’s offered his scholarly views on the ongoing financial meltdown, considered the worst since the Great Depression.

Block said economics classes at Loyola and the activities of Loyola Economics Club have been lively in recent months as current events become fodder for class discussion. The marquee Economics Club guest lectures, however, haven’t been adjusted to reflect ongoing events because they are scheduled months in advance, he said.

“There’s a limit to how flexible you can be,” Block said, about adapting class material and lecture topics to include current economic issues.

John Levendis, the current faculty advisor to the Economics Club, said current issues have had a sweeping impact on department activities. More of the club’s speakers have discussed the recession – some guests have called it a full-blown “depression” – and Levendis said, “More than ever I use newspaper articles to motivate my lectures.”

“It’s an exciting time to be an economist right now,” Levendis said.

Gabriella Lopez can be reached at [email protected].