Internationally renowned economist Ping Wang, Ph.D., has been named the inaugural holder of the Seigle Family Professorship in Arts & Sciences and will be installed in a ceremony later this school year.
The professorship was established by University Trustee and alumnus Harry Seigle, who wished to honor his family, many of whom also are alumni.
In announcing the gift, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton noted Seigle’s generosity.
“Harry Seigle is a great citizen of our University community and has been enormously generous in his support of programs, scholarships and facilities,” Wrighton said. “Now he has added another major gift, this time for faculty support. We are extremely grateful for his significant contributions to Washington University and to its legacy.”
Wang comes to WUSTL from Vanderbilt University to chair the Department of Economics in Arts & Sciences.
“Ping Wang brings distinction and a broad-based background in economics to Washington University,” said Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences.
“We are delighted to attract someone of his stature to Arts & Sciences. His experience in teaching, research, administration and service to the discipline are exceptional assets for our Department of Economics.”
Wang earned a bachelor’s degree in ocean transportation from the National Chao Tung University in Taiwan; two master’s degrees in economics, from National Chengchi University in Taiwan and the University of Rochester; and a doctorate, also from Rochester.
Among his areas of expertise are economic theory, macroeconomics, monetary economics, health and social economics, growth and development, and spatial economics.
While holding posts at Pennsylvania State University and later at Vanderbilt, where he became a full professor in 1999 and chaired its economics department from 2002-05, Wang served in many visiting capacities, including the research arm of the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and Atlanta. In addition, he has held visiting positions at Purdue University, Rochester, the University of Washington and Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
From 2001-03, he was a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund Institute, and since 1994, a scholar at the Academia Sinica in Taiwan. Since 2001, he has served as a research associate for the National Bureau of Economic Research.
A prolific researcher, his work has been published widely in scholarly journals, including American Economic Review, International Economic Review, Journal of Monetary Economics, Journal of Economic Theory, Review of Economic Studies and Review of Economics and Statistics. He has edited a book and has contributed to several others.
Furthermore, Wang has refereed, or served on editorial boards, for a number of major academic journals. He is active in his field’s professional organizations and is a frequent presenter at conferences.
Seigle graduated from Washington University with an undergraduate degree in political science in 1968, which was followed by law school at Northwestern University.
He practiced law until 1974, when he joined the family business, known then as Elgin Lumber Co. and known now as Seigle’s Inc.
Under his direction, the company has become Chicago’s largest building material supplier to the residential construction industry, employing 1,240 individuals in 11 locations. With Seigle as chairman, the company also is an industry leader in carpentry subcontracting.
He also runs the family’s foundation, which supports local not-for-profit organizations and scholarships for deserving students.
A dedicated and unflagging supporter of his alma mater, Seigle serves as a member of the Arts & Sciences National Council and as founding chair of the Chicago Regional Cabinet. During the Campaign for Washington University, he chaired the Chicago Regional Campaign and served as national vice chair of the regional campaigns.
The Chicago Regional Cabinet recognized him with the Chicago Regional Award in 2003.
The University is a family affair for the Seigles. He and his wife, Susan Gilbert Seigle, have three sons, two of whom are graduates in Arts & Sciences. Joe, a real estate developer, graduated earlier this year; Max, a news broadcaster, graduated in 2000. Harry Seigle’s brother, Michael, also is an alumnus.
His contributions over the years include the Arts & Sciences Scholarship Program and the establishment of the Seigle Seminar in American Cultural Studies in Arts & Sciences.
Seigle Commons in The Village is named in recognition of his support for facilities during the campaign.
He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.