Free Enterprise Speaker Series | Economists Panel Discussion on the Future of Jobs and the Minimum Wage How are jobs changing in today's global economy? Will enough jobs be sustainably created for the next generations of workers? Do well-intentioned policies like...

This town hall seeks to foster tangible steps that will make significant and lasting contributions to the well-being of the people affected by addiction in the Western North Carolina Region. Click here to watch the video on Facebook Click here to watch the video on...

The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise, is excited to host An out-of-this-world chat with Charlie Duke: Apollo Astronaut, Christian Leader & Moonwalker on September 11, 2019. Charles Moss “Charlie” Duke Jr. is an American former astronaut, retired U.S. Air...

The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise, along side the Division of Academic Affairs at Western Carolina University welcomed Phil Drake, software pioneer, angel investor, community leader, and founder of Drake Enterprises, on April 24, 2019. Drake took the stage...

Free Enterprise Speaker Series presents "Race Inequality: A Discussion with Steve Ha and Samuel Myers on Race Neutrality." A discussion presented by Dr. Steve Ha, and Dr. Samuel Myers at Western Carolina University. Watch a livestream of the event below:

On November 12, 2018, The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise is presented our third installment of the 2018-19 Free Enterprise Speaker Series, Bus Stop Jobs: A Film-screening and Discussion about Poverty and Economic Mobility in North Carolina. The public event...

Learning how to fully listen to others and respectively debate ideas is crucial to growth and learning. On April 22nd, Braver Angels and The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University, with support from the Barnes Family Foundation,...

On November 10th, the Liberty over Lunch students hosted Craig Richardson where he presented his work on housing availability and affordability. Through a discussion of his paper, “Did the 2010 Dodd–Frank Banking Act Deflate Property Values in Low-Income...

On November 3rd, the Liberty over Lunch students hosted Professor Celeste Carruthers of the University of Tennessee. Professor Carruthers holds the William F. Fox Distinguished Professorship of Labor Economics in the Haslam College of Business. Professor Carruthers...

On November 1st, our Liberty over lunch seminar students hosted a campus debate at Western Carolina University on the question: Should gender affirming care for youth be banned? For over an hour and a half, students, faculty, and staff discussed the pros and cons of...

On October 6th, the Liberty Over Lunch class was honored to host Abigail Cormier. Currently a third-year economics Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia, Cormier presented her working paper on the labor market effects of becoming a parent of a child with special...

We were honored to host Clemson University economist Scott Baier in our Liberty over lunch class on September 22nd. Professor Baier presented his working paper, “Gravity with Global Trade Shocks.” Using a Bayesian Gibbs sampling approach, he and his coauthor help...

This fall the CSFE is hosting a small seminar course, Liberty over lunch. The course will discuss current research and host guest speakers through a generous gift from the Barnes Family Foundation of North Carolina. Our Liberty over lunch seminar hosted our first...

Thanks to the support of AJ Grube and the Western Carolina University College of Business, I was able to attend the International AACSB conference in Chicago. It was a pleasure meeting business deans, directors, and faculty from across the globe and renewing long time...

On February 3rd and 4th, 2023, with support from the Barnes Family Foundation, the CSFE hosted a two-day weekend seminar on listening, learning, and community building. The Liberty, Community, and Prosperity Weekend Seminar was led by three talented guest faculty:...

What counts as economic progress in our region? That question is near and dear to so many, especially as we all continue adapting to pandemic disruptions. So, this year CSFE is launching a year-long research project combining different perspectives from various...

Edward Lopez conducts an interview with Virginia Postrel on October 13th, 2016.

Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons' discussion with an interview with EPIC Innovation, a student-professor collaboration group on the Western Carolina University campus known as Elevating Potential Imagination and Collaboration.

Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons' discussion with an interview of WCU Faculty Steve Ha & his guest Samuel Myers on their new book "Race Neutrality."

Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons' discussion with an interview of Jeff Percial of Percival Enterprises, and Lindsey Elias, President of Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda. They sit down to talk about Success.

Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons’ discussion with and interview of Dr. Craig Richardson, as they discuss poverty, economic mobility, and Richardson’s latest film: Bus Stop Jobs.

Dr. Edward Lopez sparks a new season of discussion with Dr. Siri Terjesen, as they discuss her global research and studies about people starting social enterprises.

Dr. Edward Lopez and Center research assistant Ann Bennett discuss interdisciplinary studies at Western Carolina University.

Dr. Edward Lopez hosts distinguished guests Amity Shlaes, four time NYT Bestseller, and Roy Cordato Senior Economist for the John Locke Foundation. Both parties discuss and share their views on the current state of tax reform.

Dr. Edward Lopez and graduate student Austin Brown, discuss the Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program at Western Carolina University.

Dr. Edward Lopez and Yue Hillon, professor of strategy and management at Western Carolina University discuss small and medium enterprises.

WalletHub released the latest edition of its 50-state ranking on restrictive COVID-19 policies. Many of the variables used in the study are heavily controversial in public discourse, including masking and school opening. Each of the many variables the authors cram...

A perfect storm is brewing for beer producers in the form of short supply vs. high demand when it comes to packaging their products. Manufacturers of aluminum cans used for canning beer and soft drinks are in overdrive trying to keep pace with increased demand.  A...

Several local and chain businesses in Western North Carolina have announced permanent closures in recent weeks as the economy continues to struggle with the impact of the pandemic. In its recent coverage, WLOS News 13 reached out to Center For the Study of Free...

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the economic shut-down as a result of COVID-19. In a recent interview on WLOS News 13, Center for the Study of Free Enterprise Director Dr. Edward Lopez spoke about the conditions affecting small business owners. Recent...

Our Associate Director Sean Mulholland has a new study on the college enrollment effects of COVID-19. He spoke recently with Shannon Watkins of The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal about the new research paper, “COVID-19 Prevalence and Empty College Seats.”

We occasionally use this blog to catch up with our former students who are now onto great things. In this installment, we are “Catching up with Ann Bennett.” Ann is a 2018 graduate of WCU with an interdisciplinary degree in Spanish, Japanese, and economics. For the...

We occasionally use this blog to catch up with our former students who are now onto great things. In this installment, we are “Catching Up with Alex Kanode”. Alex is a 2016 graduate of WCU with dual majors in Sociology and International Studies and a minor in...