When John Rolfe arrived at the University of New Hampshire from his hometown of Amsterdam in The Netherlands, he found different attitudes toward the use of alcohol and tobacco. A comparison of worldwide alcohol and tobacco consumption became his research subject in Dr. Houtenville’s econometrics course. John said, “I gained so much appreciation for and insight into the work of economists by following their research process.” He appreciated that his faculty mentor, Dr. Houtenville, “was always available for assistance during the project” and that he suggested John submit to Inquiry.
John plans to graduate in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in a dual major in Economics and Business Administration: Accounting and Entrepreneurship (Honors in Major Program.) “After graduation,” he said, “I intend to begin a career in accounting as a stepping stone to social entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Andrew J. Houtenville is an associate professor in the Economics Department and the research director of the Institute on Disability. He joined the University of New Hampshire faculty two years ago and specializes in applied microeconomics and disability policy. This is his first experience in mentoring an Inquiry author. He said that “it has been really nice to see a student maintain interest in a project well beyond the confines of a course or term paper.” Dr. Houtenville has participated in the revising of John’s term paper into an article for Inquiry, and said, “It is critical that students in the social sciences learn to convey their research and findings to many audiences.”
Read John Rolfe’s article A Tale of Two Vices: An Applied Economic Analysis of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption >>
