Name: Evelyn Murray
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Undergraduate Major and Alma Mater: Finance with a concentration in Risk Management and Insurance, Old Dominion University
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Running and traveling—ideally combining the two! I’m currently training for the 2024 Chicago Marathon and have enjoyed running in diverse locations such as DC, Ocean City, Saratoga Springs, and Puerto Rico.
What motivated you to pursue an MA in Economics?
My motivation for pursuing an MA in Economics stems from my experience in an Introduction to Microeconomics course at Penn State University, before transferring to ODU. Dr. Jadrian Wooten’s engaging teaching style—using creative examples like Twinkie eating contests to explain concepts—made economics fascinating and accessible. Although I chose a different path for my undergraduate degree, the innovative insights from those economics courses left a strong impression and inspired me to align my academic interests with a master’s degree in economics.
Is there a particular book, economist, or theory that has significantly influenced your thinking?
I have to go with the stereotypical one here - Freakonomics. It was my first introduction to Microeconomics and was particularly intriguing to me due to its innovative approach. The way Levitt and Dubner utilize case studies to reveal hidden incentives and underlying patterns demonstrates how economics can provide fresh insights into everyday life. It made first year micro seem a lot less daunting!