Economics Professors Retire

By Kelly Dove

Dr. Mary Ellen Benedict

Dr. Mary Ellen Benedict retired from BGSU on June 30, 2015 and was granted Emeritus status upon retirement.  Mary Ellen joined the Economics Department in 1991 as an assistant professor, was promoted to full professor in 2002, and served as department chair from 2011-2015.  The University designated her as a Distinguished Teaching Professor by BGSU’s Board of Trustees in 2010, she was one of several Excellence in Education honorees by Ohio Magazine and received several College of Business and university awards in teaching, advising and mentoring during her tenure at BGSU.

Most recently she was presented with an alumni association award by the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Benedict was selected for the Distinguished Alumni Award based on her outstanding achievements.  She earned her Master’s in Public Policy and Management and her Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon in 1985 and 1991, respectively.

A current student wrote, “You helped me to realize my full potential in regards to learning a subject foreign to me.  You pushed me further than anyone had regarding my research paper.  You believe in your students more so than any teacher I have encountered, at any level.”  Thankfully Mary Ellen agreed to come back and teach Econometrics for us this fall.  The students and faculty miss having her on campus full time and appreciate all the guidance and dedication she has provided to them.

Dr. Kyoo Kim

Dr. Kyoo Kim, retired from BGSU on June 30, 2015 and was granted Emeritus status upon retirement.  Dr. Kim joined the Economics Department in 1978 as an assistant professor and was promoted to full professor in 1989.  Dr. Kim has also served as a visiting professor at Saitama University in Japan and at Seoul National University in Korea.  He earned his undergraduate degree at Seoul National University and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  Dr. Kim published extensively in journals, taught both graduate and undergraduate level courses, and served as the Director of Graduate Studies in Economics for four years.  He has held top leadership positions in the Korea-America Economic Association.

Andrea Schneider, Lecturer and MA Econ Alumni, wrote this about Dr. Kim.  “My favorite memory of you is as my teacher for graduate level microeconomics.  I absolutely loved that class and was so challenged!  I wanted to do well in that class, not only for myself, but to please you as well because I thought so highly of you.  I still think highly of you, which is why I always call you Dr. Kim, instead of using your first name.  You taught me a lot about microeconomics, but, more importantly, you gave me my first taste of teaching!  Asking me to share my homework answers with the class set me down the path that has led me to where I am today.  From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!”

We are happy that Dr. Kim agreed to come back this fall and teach Advanced Microeconomic Theory to our graduate students.

We wish both Dr. Kim and Dr. Benedict well in their retirement.