Celebrating the Milton Friedman Centennial

Nov. 9, 2012

The Institute commemorated the centennial of Milton Friedman's birth and his enduring contributions to economics with heartfelt tributes from his former students, colleagues, and friends.

Two panels of distinguished economists highighted his unique strengths as a scholar and his policy ideas, firmly grounded in scientific analysis, that continue to resonate today. They shared perspectives on how he would view today's policy challenges, and how his insights and advice would help.

Nearly 300 alumni, colleagues, faculty, students and friends of the Institute gathered for the panel discussions. At the celebration dinner, University president Robert J. Zimmer shared thoughts on the unique combination of rigor, fearless innovation, and persistence in the face of rejection that made Friedman's ideas—and the Chicago School of Economics—so durable.

Over dinner, Institute chair Gary Becker shared personal reflections on his mentor: a great teacher, an outstanding person, a major contributor to economics, and an ingenious inventor of approaches to policy.

Panels

Public Policy and the Role of Government Panel summary » Watch Video » James J. Heckman, Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and the College; Affiliate Professor in the Harris Graduate School of Public Policy; and 2000 Nobel Laureate Edward Lazear, Jack Steele Parker Professor of Human Resources Management and Economics, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Chair, Becker Friedman Institute Board of Overseers Kevin Murphy, PhD'86, George J. Stigler Distinguished Service Professor of Economics in Chicago Booth and the Law School Moderator: Jose A. Scheinkman, Theodore A. Wells '29 Professor Economics, Princeton University

Monetary Policy and the Macroeconomy Panel summary » Watch Video » Robert Lucas, John Dewey Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and 1995 Nobel Laureate Allen H. Meltzer, the Allan H. Meltzer University Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, and Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution John Taylor, Mary and Robert Raymond Professor of Economics, Stanford University, and George P. Shultz Senior Fellow in Economics, Hoover Institution Moderator: Lars Peter Hansen, David Rockefeller Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Statistics and Research Director, Becker Friedman Institute