VMASC DIRECTOR TO KICK-OFF 2007-08 ECONOMICS CLUB SPEAKER SERIES TODAY

Michael McGinnis, executive director of Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center, will be the guest speaker for the Old Dominion University Economics Club of Hampton Roads luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Co-sponsored by ODU's College of Business and Public Administration, the Economics Club luncheon begins at noon at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel. The cost is $30 for nonmembers. Due to limited space, reservations are required and may be made by calling 683-4058.

McGinnis, who has been at the helm of VMASC since 2006, will discuss Hampton Roads' modeling, simulation and visualization industry, a catalyst for $500 million per year in regional economic activity.

The full 2007-08 schedule of speakers includes:

Oct. 10 -- Kenneth A. Hersh, managing partner of Natural Gas Partners;
Oct. 31 -- Robert Puentes, fellow at the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program;
Jan. 23 -- Annual Economic Outlook Conference featuring Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of MoodysEconomy.com;
Feb. 22 -- David Callahan, author of "The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead;" and
April 2 -- Dee W. Edington, director of the University of Michigan's Health Management Research Center.