Two Furman students explore economics in UChicago summer program

Two Furman University students are spending some of their summer in Washington, D.C. and The Windy City, studying economics through a University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy program. 

Tunie Ha ’28 and Linni Goldsmith ’28 are among 44 students from around the country  in the nine-week Expanding Discovery in Economics+ Summer Institute (EDE+), which blends virtual class sessions with one weeklong trip to the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Washington, D.C. and another to UChicago.

Furman University has two students enrolled in the 2025 cohort of the Expanding Discovery in Economics+ Summer Institute, hosted by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Photo provided by University of Chicago.

“Having two is a testament to the talent of our students and the strength of our learning environment,” said Jessica Hennessey, the John D. Hollingsworth professor of economics and interim economics department chair.  

For Ha and Goldsmith, the program is a chance to dive deeper into economics as a discipline. Goldsmith is an accounting major, Hennessey said, and can explore whether economics is a potential career path for her. The program also offers a national community of peers and mentors passionate about applying economics to real-world challenges, Hennessey said. 

“I’m most looking forward to engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in economics, and learning from UChicago’s renowned faculty,” said Ha, a mathematics-economics major. “I’m especially excited about the hands-on research components and discussions that connect theory with real-world issues.” 

Linni Goldsmith ’28

The program blends skill-building coursework, daily lectures and group activities, with final presentations of a group research project that applies the coding skills, economic theory and research methods covered in the Summer Institute. Every participant is invited to present their findings at a student research conference in Washington, D.C.

Each summer, Furman University students engage in research and internships, extending their education beyond the traditional classroom. This year features 240 summer research fellows and 282 summer intern fellows. Connecting students with the full range of opportunities available to them is the name of the game, Hennessey said, whether that’s programs like EDE+, internships, a summer working for an elected official or volunteering in a local nonprofit.  

“The goal isn’t just to guide students into one path, but to expose them to many possibilities and support them as they explore,” she said. “Programs like this thrive in a culture where faculty know their students well, see their potential and help them imagine and pursue meaningful experiences. That’s something we’re committed to continuing.”