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Economics of gratitude: Hashem Dezhbakhsh reflects on what makes Emory special

Emory economics professor Hashem Dezhbakhsh discusses how he’s inspired generations of students and found his professional home at Emory.

Hashem Dezhbakhsh’s office is full of thank-you notes — more than 30 years of them. They sit in piles on his desk and are collected in binders on his shelves. They are even tacked to the walls.

For Dezhbakhsh, Goodrich C. White Professor of Economics, nothing is more important than the student experience. That’s why he carries a friendly demeanor and supportive attitude everywhere he goes on campus.

His introductory economics class has long been one of the university’s most popular courses. In the classroom, he makes the case for how the principles of economics affect everyday life, even beyond one’s pocketbook. These principles, he says, can be seen in students’ personal priorities and the ways they interact with others.

Dezhbakhsh’s relatability is not confined to the lectern. Since joining the Emory faculty in 1992, he’s helped build a thriving economics community and is now the department chair. He leads an annual soccer game that pits a team of macroeconomists against one of microeconomists. The match brings students and faculty together in a friendly spirit of competition. Dezhbakhsh has played on both teams — and is always a threat to score.

In his many years at Emory, Dezhbakhsh has created an environment where students can learn and thrive. And for 30 years, they’ve shared their thanks with generous notes of gratitude.


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