By Nicholas D. Williams, Assistant News & Photography Editor
“My initial goal was to impart knowledge to students, make meaningful contributions to the field and, ultimately, be a difference maker.”
In the latest issue of the Review of Black Political Economy(RBPE), Susquehanna University’s Dr. Olugbenga Onafowora is ranked at no. 40 among academic economists in the country. Along with this, Onafowora was named as the Commonwealth’s top Black economist; these nominations come as a result of his work being cited numerous times by others in his field.
“We are incredibly proud to see Professor Onafowora recognized as one of the national leaders in his field,” says Matthew Rousu, Dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business. “His leadership and expertise inspire both his colleagues and students.”
According to SAGE Publications, “the RBPE is the leading outlet for research that examines issues related to the economic status of African Americans, the African diaspora and marginalized populations throughout the world.”
Joining him on this prestigious list, the journal named economists from Brown, Princeton, Harvard, Columbia and Yale universities. Throughout his career, Onafowora has published over 40 scholarly articles, as well as presented 50+ conference papers at the regional, national and international levels.
Since 1989, Onafowora has worked as an economics professor at the University; in 2010, he was appointed as department chair and has helped the program garner the ranking of no. 33 amongst all liberal arts colleges in the nation. Along with these, he also serves as the Warheim Chair in the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
Born in Nigeria, he received his undergraduate degree in agricultural economics from the University of Ife (renamed to Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987) in 1979. Following his move to the United States, Onafowora received his Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Economics from the University of West Virginia in 1982. He earned his Doctorate in Economics at the same institution in 1989. He also holds an Associate Degree in Systems Administration from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).
During his time as a professor, Onafowora has been awarded two of the University’s most distinguished awards: the John C. Horn Distinguished Service Lectureship and the Donald D. Housley Teaching Award. As well as these, he was also bestowed the best paper award from the 2004 European Applied Business Research Conference.
As a dedicated instructor, Onafowora takes great pride in the success of his past and present students. A defining moment came when an alumnus of the Class of 2009 returned to campus from the Peace Corps specifically to thank him for the guidance he had given. Mentoring is the most enjoyable part of teaching for Onafowora.
He says, “I particularly enjoy witnessing the ‘aha’ moments when they grasp complex concepts.” Watching his students grow, he says, is what affords him fulfillment and passion for the discipline.