by Michelle Stoll, ACRE Communications Manager
Each semester, The Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) gives UCA students the opportunity to apply for scholarships by participating in one of its weekly reading groups, such as the economics group, law group, philosophy group and Biz@Bear group. This academic year $28,700 was awarded for 70 reading group scholarships among 59 students.
“The goal of these groups,” explains ACRE Director and Associate Professor of Economics Jeremy Horpedahl, “is to get students thinking and talking about interesting ideas.” Students have an opportunity to learn from each other and interact with professors in a more casual environment. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply and those accepted are responsible for weekly readings and discussions.
Reading Group participants often receive opportunities to travel. This March, 13 UCA students 
in the ACRE Economics Reading Group participated in a summit at Southern Methodist University (left). UCA, SMU, and Northern Michigan students met with Economist Ed Glaeser from Harvard University. Dr. Glaeser authored several of the group’s readings.
Past reading group topics include “Economics, Evolution and the Environment,” “Capitalism, Socialism, and Human Flourishing,” “Landmark Supreme Court Cases,” and “Dr. Seuss and Philosophy.” For more information on reading groups visit this page or watch this video message from ACRE Director and UCA Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl about past reading groups.
In addition to its reading groups, ACRE also provides student scholarships to its annual colloquium, which brings together students and faculty from universities across Arkansas. ACRE provided $3,500 in scholarships to this year’s event, “The Terrors of the First Night: Taverns, Commerce, and the Violent Birth of British-American “Liberty” 1765 — 1766,” which was held at the Winrock Rockefeller Institute. Seven UCA students received scholarships to attend, along with 13 students from other Arkansas universities.