[376] ‘FATHER OF SUPPLY-SIDE ECONOMICS’ TO SPEAK AT MTSU’S EXECUTIVES-IN-RESIDENCE EVENT

March 17, 2009
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

‘FATHER OF SUPPLY-SIDE ECONOMICS’ TO SPEAK AT MTSU’S EXECUTIVES-IN-RESIDENCE EVENT

Singer Charlie Daniels will receive Spirit of America award at luncheon

MURFREESBORO—Arthur Laffer, renowned supply-side economist who served as a member of President Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board and is best known for the “Laffer Curve,” will be guest speaker at this year’s MTSU Executives-in-Residence program, Wednesday, April 8.
Laffer will speak from 10:20 to 11:15 a.m. in Tucker Theater on “A Supply-Side View of the First 75 Days of the Obama Administration.” This ‘executive briefing’ will be open to classes and to the public. There is no charge, but interested parties should reserve seating by calling 615-898-2764.
The “Laffer Curve” asserts that in certain situations a decrease in tax rates can result in an increase in tax revenues. When Laffer illustrated his theory on a napkin for members of the administration, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was present coined the term.
Founder and chair of Laffer Associates, a consulting firm, and also of Laffer Investments, Laffer has been called “the father of supply-side economics.” He was involved in Proposition 13, the California initiative that drastically cut property taxes in the state in 1978. In addition to advising President Reagan from 1981 to 1989, he also advised Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on fiscal policy during that time.
Laffer taught economics at Pepperdine University, the University of Southern California and the University of Chicago. He was the first to hold the title of chief economist at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
“We are extremely pleased to have someone with such impressive credentials and experience on the MTSU campus,” Dr. Jim Burton, business dean, stated. “Business students and faculty of all disciplines, as well as the members of the business community, should take advantage of this opportunity to hear a man who has advised world leaders on economic issues.”
The Executives-in-Residence program will include an invitation-only luncheon at noon in the James Union Building’s Tennessee Room. At that time, officials will present singer Charlie Daniels with the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award—an honor presented to a businessperson who has demonstrated the best of the spirit of America through significant contributions in government, education, and/or civic and charitable organizations.
After graduating from high school in 1955 and influenced by one Elvis Presley, Daniels formed a rock ‘n’ roll band and took his guitar, fiddle and mandolin on the road. In the late 60s, he moved to middle Tennessee to work as a session guitarist in Nashville. He worked on albums for Bob Dylan and the Youngbloods, toured Europe with Leonard Cohen and performed with artists such as Al Kooper and Marty Robbins. Daniels broke through as a record maker with his 1973 album “Honey in the Rock” and hit single “Uneasy Rider.”
By 1981, the Charlie Daniels Band has twice been voted the Academy of Country Music’s Touring Band of the Year. Daniels’ resume includes recording sessions with many of the greats, and his songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley and Tammy Wynette. He has been featured on ABC’s “20/20.” In 1998, Daniels received the Pioneer Award at the Academy of Country Music’s annual ceremony. On Jan. 18, 2008, Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
“Charlie is a successful businessman with more than 50 years in the music business and a working ranch,” Burton commented. “He has dedicated considerable time and talent to entertaining and building the morale of American servicemen and women, and he never fails to honor their service and dedication. He is a most worthy recipient of the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award.”
Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers, who died Feb 2 of this year at age 75, preceded attorney Aubrey Harwell as holder of MTSU’s Jennings A. Jones Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise. The award that carries his name has been presented annually during this event.
The Executives in Residence is sponsored by MTSU’s Jennings A. Jones College of Business, the Jones Chair of Excellence and the MTSU Distinguished Lecture Committee.

####


NOTE: For photos of Laffer and Daniels, please email Gina Fann at gfann@mtsu.edu. Media are invited to the luncheon but should notify Tom Tozer no later than Friday, April 3, to ensure seating (ttozer@mtsu.edu).