September 1, 2004

Brandt Foundation, Boise State to Present Nobel Prize-Winning Economist

The Boise State University College of Business and Economics, in conjunction with the John and Orah Brandt Foundation, will bring Nobel Prize-winning economist James Buchanan to the Boise State campus on Nov. 10. Buchanan, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Economic Science, is best known for developing the public choice theory of economics, which changed the way economists analyze economic and political decision making. His work opened the door for greater examination of how politicians and bureaucrats self-interest as well as non-economic forces affect government policy and political institutions. His lecture, titled Afraid to be Free, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Jordan Ballroom of the Student Union. The lecture is free and open to the public. It is a great honor to have Dr. Buchanan visit Boise State University, said Charlotte Twight, Boise State professor of economics. It provides an exceptional opportunity for our community to hear a Nobel Laureate in economics and consider his thoughts about government and public policy at a time when these issues are so prominent in the news. Twight was named the Brandt Professor of Free Enterprise Capitalism when the Brandt Foundation pledged a $40,000 annual donation to the Boise State College of Business and Economics earlier this year. The donation also secured funding for an annual lecture series. Buchanan s lecture is the inaugural event in the series. The Brandt Professor of Free Enterprise Capitalism was the vision of Nampa native John Brandt, who died in 1999. His wife, Orah Brandt, died in 1982. John Brandt was a generous benefactor for many community projects. His trust also helped build the Brandt Fine Arts Center on the Northwest Nazarene University campus in Nampa and the Brandt Auditorium in the Nampa Civic Center. For more information on Buchanan s lecture, call 426-3351. Additional information about Buchanan can be found at www.gmu.edu/jbc . -30- Contact Bill Lathen Dean, Boise State College of Business and Economics 426-1125 Don Brandt John and Orah Brandt Foundation 466-7821 Media Contact Sherry Squires Boise State communications and marketing 426-1563