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`On Friday, March 13, Millersville University held a two day Economic Policy Conference which was organized to discuss the fundamentals of the global economy and reaffirming and redefining “Middle Class” in the 21st century.
A few of the key speakers of the conference included David Sanger, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), and Lawrence Mishel, President of the Economic Policy Institute.
Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) addresses issues of sustaining an American middle class at a conference presented by Millersville's Civic and Community Engagement and Research Project. Photo by Christian Shuts.
The conference was previewed in an economic forum held Feb. 23, where professors Dr. Mike Gumpper, Dr. Kenneth Smith, and Dr.. Eric Blazer shared their expert opinions on the economic state of the country, as well as how it would change the lives of students at Millersville.
The conference gave valuable points and information to its attendants about our current economic condition, and how we are being affected, including student loans, which is always important at an educational institution.
An insight into where we are headed was also discussed. Social Security and retirement savings reform, and strategic job growth were also topics of interest.
On the first day of the conference, the University welcomed David Sanger, the best selling author of the recently published book, The Inheritance.
The book discusses the issues we face as a nation in relation to our economy and having a new president in office, Barack Obama.
Sanger is best known for his work at the New York Times. He has had extensive work covering political affairs including foreign policy, the presidency, and globalization.
The first day of the conference also included sessions about “Social Security & Retirement Savings Reform,” “Emerging Economic Powers in Today’s World” and “Credit (Student Loans) & Mortgage Policy.”
Monique Morrissey of the Economic Policy Institute discussed retirement, and also explained how economic circumstances can influence people in their retirement decisions.
Student loans were also of great interest in the conference, considering there are many concerned students wondering what will happen with their student loans.
This was covered by Dawn Korman, and John Montgomery, both of Susquehanna Bank and Dr.Mike Gumpper, a professor of economics at Millersville University.
It is now becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain student loans.
The Federal Family Education Loan Program has also been experiencing turbulence due to a crumbling economy.
Saturday’s portion of the conference was compromised of sessions that were about job growth, the stimulus package and bailout, healthcare coverage and Medicare reform, and the middle class of the 21st century.
Robert Walker, a Millersville Alumni and former U.S. Congressman and Chairman, Wexler-Walker Public Policy Associates spoke about strategic job growth in our current economy.
Walker has an extensive background in dealing with political affairs; he represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1997.
He expressed his knowledge and experience of economic policies and active in developing various strategies for the economic threats our nation currently faces.
Lawrence Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute spoke about “Reconfirming or Redefining ‘Middle Class’ for the 21st Century.”
Overall, Mishel is working to “advance the interest of American workers.”
The middle class is known as the general population and Mishel emphasizes the importance of workers forming resolutions to ultimately create success and room for advancement for jobs in the U.S.
The conference gave students and faculty the opportunity to hear from the knowledgeable speakers on their insights of important issues in our economy today.
The future of the economy may be unknown but the events allowed concerned students to hear from and interact with professionals in the economic field.