RALEIGH – Dr. Michael Walden, the N.C. State professor who has strived in the classroom and as a columnist and author to make economis understdable to the masses, has retired from the classroom. But not from writing.

“Yes – after 43 years and age 70,” Walden told The Skinny in response to an email query about whether he had retired.

“But,” Walden added, “I am still working but in a different way.  I will continue to do my column as well as some other things for NCSU.”

The Skinny asked Walden the big retirement question (one I’m used to be asked, not asking) when in a recent email his tagline had been changed to “professor emeritus.”

Rick Smith, WRAL TechWire’s editor and a cofounder, writes The Skinny.

Some years back a local columnist criticized media outlets for relaying on “experts” such as Walden on a regular basis rather than seek out others.

Ba.

I rememeber thinking: “Unlike a lot of experts, Walden is on call always – just like a doctor – to answer questions and offer analysis about economic news. Why not turn to him when he’s authoritative, professional, politically unbiased – now there’s a rarity – and also colorful? His quick wit and humor make him an even more interesting guest either online or in print or via multimedia.”

Should journalists seek out others for comment? Yes. TechWire does quite regularly.

But Walden is on the “must call” list.

Now how’s that for a tribute in three paragraphs?

His resume

Walden has won numerous awards, written two books, and every two weeks publishes an economics-focused column for NCSU titled “You Decide.”

As noted, he’s a frequent media guest via the web, TV, and has done podcasts.

Walden also is called on from time to time to do research papers.

And you may not know this but reporters do: Walden also contributes to every economic development announcement made by the N.S. Department of Commerce through his formula for calculating the benefits from promised jobs and investment.

Thank goodness Walden will continue to write columns and be available when reporters need him (which is pretty darn often these days as the economy begins to groe red hot once more.)

Best wishes, Dr. Walden, whatever “you decide” to do next.

Walden’s NCSU bio

Michael L. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the Graduate Economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. Dr. Walden retired at the end of March 2021 and is now a Professor Emeritus.

His Ph.D. degree is from Cornell University and he has been at NC State since 1978. He has also been a Visiting Professor at Duke University. He has served on several local and state level commissions. He currently teaches ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Dr. Walden has teaching, research, and extension responsibilities at NC State University in the areas of consumer economics, economic outlook, and public policy. He has published eleven books and over 300 articles and reports, including the books North Carolina in the Connected Age in 2010 and North Carolina Beyond the Connected Age: The Tar Heel State in 2050 in 2017, both published by the UNC Press.

Source: NCSU