Economist to Examine War on Poverty and the Elderly

“50 Years of the War on Poverty: What it Means for the Elderly,” will be the subject of a Phi Beta Kappa visiting lecture Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m. in Room 123 of the University of Wyoming College of Business Building. The talk is free and open to the public.

Kathleen McGarry, professor and chair of the Department of Economics at UCLA, will be the speaker. She has done much research involving public economics and the economics of aging. Her work has focused on the importance of public transfers through supplemental security income, Social Security and Medicare. Her current research deals with long-term care and life insurance markets.

Since 1956, the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program has offered opportunities for undergraduates to spend time with some of America's most distinguished scholars. The program contributes to the intellectual life of the campus by making possible an exchange of ideas between the visiting scholars and the resident faculty and students. 

The visiting scholars travel to 100 colleges and universities each year, spending two days on each campus and taking part in the academic life of the institution. They meet informally with students and faculty members, participate in classroom discussions and seminars, and give a public lecture.