Professor James T. Bennett was recognized by George Mason University at the Gold University Day Service Awards ceremony on November 2, 2021, for his 45 years of service to the university.
Bennett is an Eminent Scholar at Mason and Senior Research Fellow at Mason’s Mercatus Center. He holds the William P. Snavely Chair of Political Economy and Public Policy in the Department of Economics and is the director of the John M. Olin Institute for Employment Practice and Policy. Bennett received his PhD from Case Western Reserve University in 1970 and has specialized in research related to public policy issues, the economics of government and bureaucracy, labor unions, and health charities. He is founder and editor of the Journal of Labor Research and has published more than 60 articles in professional journals such as the American Economic Review, Review of Economics and Statistics, Policy Review, Public Choice, and Cato Journal.
"Jim Bennett's scholarship and dedication have had an incredible influence on the many students he has taught during his impressive career at Mason,” said Dean Ann Ardis. “Further, through his remarkable productivity as an author, he has shaped economic thought and conversation far beyond Mason's campuses. We celebrate his many contributions to our college and to our community."
Professor Daniel Houser, chair of the Department of Economics, noted Bennett’s extensive work to advance the program: “As a founding member of the economics department, Dr. Bennett's extraordinary scholarly contributions and vision have been enormously important to building the home in which we all take great pride. We are grateful for and humbled by Dr. Bennett's 45-year commitment to Mason!”
November 02, 2021