Programs for Outstanding Students
Below are short descriptions of some programs that are offered by the Department of Economics, Finance and Legal Studies that are primarily directed toward outstanding students. The Finance and Economics Programs have attracted some of the most outstanding undergraduate students in the University. In addition, our Master of Science in Finance has attracted many of our most highly qualified graduate students. We have several options in the programs that have been in place for several years and we have recently added new programs that may be of interest to you.
For the programs listed below, we are looking for students who wish to take a curriculum that is far more challenging than usual. These programs generally require the additional math classes that are necessary for advanced graduate work. A brief description of the various options is given below. If you are interested in one of these programs, please email Dr. Helms at Bhelms@cba.ua.edu.
Quantitative Finance
The curriculum for quantitative finance contains all the core finance classes plus basic engineering math classes. This is an excellent major for those who have a strong quantitative background and wish to study finance. It is excellent training for graduate school and for some of the more technical areas of employment in finance.
Quantitative Economics
Our regular economics program is quite flexible and can accommodate students who plan to take the usual sequence of math classes; however, we advise all of our students to take as much math as possible. Taking more math classes expands your opportunity for additional work in economics. The quantitative economics curriculum incorporates the math requirements that the faculty believe are necessary for students who want to pursue a Ph.D. in economics.
Double major in Finance and Math
This course of study is very similar to the Quantitative Finance major. This option requires a few additional math classes that permit students to receive both majors. Graduates in these majors have a wide range of opportunities for graduate study and employment.
Double major in Economics and Math
Students who are interested in studying math often look to apply their study to the "real world" and economics is an excellent venue for those applications. Likewise, advanced study in economics often requires rigorous training in math. This degree satisfies both of those needs and is outstanding preparation for those who plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree in economics.
The University Scholars Program
The University Scholars program allows the department to identify students with outstanding potential at an early stage of their undergraduate program and invite them into a program that leads to both the undergraduate degree in Finance or Economics and a Masters degree (MS Finance/MA Economics/ MS Statistics) usually within 4 years of starting the Undergraduate program.
Certificate in Analytical Excellence
This certificate is for those students who have completed the regular calculus sequence and 3 additional analytical classes. This signals to employers and other that the holders of this certificate has made a conscience effort to develop their analytical skills.
Awards and Scholarships (2008-09) 
Click here to see pictures from the honors dinner (April 9, 2009).
Financial Executives Institute Award
John T. Richardson
Marcus Whitman Finance Award in:
Corporate Finance: Pace G. Archibald, Renate Schaller
Financial Management: Timothy M. Cline
Investment Management: Joseph L. Aultman, Yongxiang Liang
World Business: Caitlin S. Sims
Real Estate: Michael R. Dodson, Charles Kirschman
Alabama Bankers' Student Achievement Award
Margaret F. Watson
Murray Havens Award
Alex D. Flachsbart
Economics Faculty Award
Elizabeth H. Jones
Wall Street Journal Achievement Award
Justin D. Reynolds
William A. Sanders Award
Karen Lansden
James Holladay Memorial Scholarship
Nicholas J. Zito
George K. Page Scholar
Ashley E. Morrison
B. J. Heggeman and J. E. Turner Memorial Scholarships (The Alabama SIOR Scholarships)
Creighton M. Rhodes, Joshua G. Richey
A. H. Crow Memorial Scholarship Award in Real Estate
Elena M. Brown
Paul Corwin, Jr. Award
George M. Cohen
J. H. Berry & Gilbert, Inc., Roy Bragg Endowed Scholarship
April N. Wallace
The Charlie White Scholarship Fund Award (Alabama CCIM Chapter)
Brittany G. Wyatt
The Rance M. Sanders Endowed Scholarships
Scott L. McKenzie, Joshua G. Richey
John S. Bickley Award
Brittany R. Stephenson
Alabama Young Bankers Scholarship
Joseph L. Siegelman
Amanda Taylor Watson Outstanding Quantitative Finance Student Award
Lindsay C. Kennemer, Clifford O. Lower
Undergraduate Scholars Award in Economics and Finance
James M. Allen, Randy E. Beavers, Wilson P. Boardman, Alexander Y. Chiang, John A. Elder, Britton T. Farrell, Amanda L. James, Benjamin J. Kallam, John T. Killian, Veronica A. Nowicki, Anna-Leigh L. Stone, William T. Thompson, Erin A. White
Special Achievement Award
Kathryn J. Adsit, Stephanie M. Anderson, Amanda B. Chen, Ga-Eun Lee, Robert S. Peters, Daniel A. Ritchey, Peter W. Shearouse, Amy M. Skridulis, Nathan W. Smart, Sarah E. Spiller
Junior Faculty Excellence Award in:
Finance
Kelli L. Abernathy, Melissa A. Brackin, Michael J. Burchfield, Charles D. Denson, Kristofer A. Driggers, Ashley J. Duffy, Carl G. Freemyer, Jeffrey M. Galati, Blair H. Graffeo, Ashlyn F. Harbin, William T. Henry, Daniel R. Hightower, Warren D. Hoffman, John D. Leverton, Jimmy H. Marquis, Kate E. McCulloch, Brooke C. Rogers, Tyler C. Rudman, Carter E. Slappey, Christopher E. Vinson, James B. Wills, Matthew B. Wilson, Brittany G. Wyatt
Economics
Ashley B. Atkins, Thomas P. Berryman, Jason B. Douglas, Katherine D. Kelley, Christopher R. Mann, Brooke R. McLeod, Katherine L. Spohr
Senior Faculty Excellence Award in:
Financial Management
Richard B. Hester, John H. Lewis, Daniel T. Wilson
Investment Management
Christian D. Brunson, William D. Lankford, James R. Martin, Matthew D. Miller, Richard N. Sanders
Insurance
Aimee E. Simmons
Quantitative Finance
Douglas B. Blank
Real Estate
Rachel B. Kelley, Scott L. McKenzie, Randall M. Smith, Anna E. Tygielski, James H. Young
World Business
Warren F. Jones
Economics
Sara K. Clay, Brett D. Collier, Michael W. Emery, Benjamin P. Harmon, John W. Morris, Laura W. Murphy, Allison G. Smith, Phillip A. Threlkeld
Outstanding Undergraduate Awards
Outstanding Undergraduates in Finance
Juniors
Justin T. Armstrong, John T. Berney, Mark A. Bishop, Lindsey M. Bollinger, Lott H. Brigham, Christofer A. Butterfield, Christopher J. Davis, Weller A. Drennon, Jeffrey C. Grice, Richard B. Hester, Carey W. Hollingsworth, Trent M. Jones, Megan L. Madden, Davis A. Maddox, Katharine E. McElroy, Matthew D. McGanity, Heather L. Minton, Saketh Sai Myneni, Daniel P. Nelms, Allison P. Potter, William S. Pritchard, Ronald A. Rodriguez, David B. Ross, Megan R. Setterstrom, Samuel B. Shelton, Jonathan T. Sims, Elizabeth St. Charles, Daniel L. Strickland, Charles T. Williams, Thomas J. Zelko
Seniors
Phillip H. Amberson, Russell E. Arnold, William R. Bailey, Charles D. Baker, Sarah B. Barkley, Michael F. Barnett, John D. Baumhauer, Barbara B. Blackburn, Jillian M. Brody, Frances E. Byrd, Aldrich D. Callins, Derek B. Cassels, Tyler M. Chapman, William H. Cherry, Chad R. Christian, Emma L. Cook, David A. Cortes, Rylan C. Dauphin, Phillip A. Deck, Preston R. Dennis, Rodrigo A. Flores, Samuel M. Flowers, Christopher T. Fowler, James G. Galloway, Preston T. Galloway, Kelly L. Gipson, Ryan L. Godwin, William R. Goolsby, Bradley P. Green, Alyson A. Grimes, John H. Hall, David M. Hardin, Virginia Harkins, Daniel A. Harriman, Amy M. Hendrickson, Jonathan D. Hill, Armelle A. Honkou, Patrick A. Howell, Berkley R. Hudgins, Madelynn A. Humphries, Ann C. Joiner, Kelley E. Joiner, Kira L. Jones, Christopher M. Jordan, Delfino E. Lorenzo, Philip D. Mahoney, Grant R. McCabe, Thomas McCarroll, Ty J. McDaniel, Amanda L. Mitchell, William E. Mixon, Clayton J. Mobley, Cole D. Murphy, Zachary Narvaez, David J. Oldham, James M. O'Neil, Jeffery H. Parker, Colin D. Peek, William L. Perkins, Christopher H. Peterson, David H. Pharr, Oliver Rice, Jessica L. Robinson, Allen L. Ross, Betsy K. Rowell, Angela J. Sayler, William M. Sellers, Jooyeong Seong, Michael C. Shannon, Charles G. Shepherd, Heidi M. Sizemore, Jason T. Smith, Andrew M. Stewart, Sarah E. Stubblefield, Wayne B. Sullivan, Brody R. Summerall, William C. Tatum, Carlin B. Taylor, Mathieu Thibaudeau, Catherine A. Thrasher, William B. Tisdale, Robert H. Walston, Benjamin Wang, Laura M. Wheeler, Neil L. Williams, Stephanie J. Wyckoff
Outstanding Undergraduates in Economics (C&BA)
Juniors
Jason R. Bivins, Helena Blomberg, Matthew J. Bowness, Leah A. Bruchis, Hugh B. Harris, Jessica A. Hetherington, Kenneth M. Kelley, Stephen P. Saucier
Seniors
Nyesha C. Black, John M. Craine, Jared B. Dempsey, John T. Duffey, Christina T. Flowers, Lekisha R. Gunn, Noah E. Hopkins, Jonathon, R. McMullen, Carter A. Merritt, Joshua A. Nelson, Myeshia L. Reynolds, Tyler A. Richmond, Amanda L. Smith, Andrew J. Stadnisky, Phillip A. Threlkeld, Matthew T. Williford
Outstanding Undergraduates in Economics (A&S)
Juniors
Eva Lin P. Bartel, Reece A. Cernoch, Lauren C. Floyd, Erick Tobias
Seniors
Awuri P. Asuru, Major B. Burch, Joe C. Cassady, Catherine B. Crockett, David C. Lindsay, Adam C. Maniscalco, Andrea L. Passwater, Edward M. Pollack, Adrian K. Smith, William T. Thompson, Kathryn G. Tippey, Adair D. Whetstone
Economics Freshman Achievement Award
Angela M. Armstrong, Lauren A. Colburn, Morgan R. Crittenden, Barbara D. Ditmer, Steven G. Dockery, Amelia S. Gwaltney, Emilee T. Hellums, Rachel N. Hester, Paige V. Holmes, Ashley V. Justin, Joseph M. Lukens, Caroline N. Martin, Mark A. Pinkerton, Courtney L. Plowman, Emily E. Sanford, Sarah D. Suggs, Nicholas T. Whatley, Morgan D. Wilbanks, Matthew B. Wilson