The Center for Business and Economic Research invites you to celebrate Michael J. Hicks upon his retirement from Ball State University at a reception held in his honor.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Reception 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Remarks 4:00 p.m.
Center for Business and Economic Research
Whitinger Business Building, Room 149, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
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About Michael J. Hicks, PhD
Michael J. Hicks is the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George & Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. He retires in August 2026 after 19 years with CBER.
Since his arrival in 2007, Hicks has written more than 1,000 opinion articles for his weekly syndicated column and other audiences, given 18 Indiana Economic Outlook forecasts, testified to state and national legislatures, and authored or co-authored dozens of scholarly publications and white papers.
Hicks’ research and insights earned media attention from USA Today, Economist, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, Financial Times, BBC News, CNN, NPR, PBS Nightly Business Report, and Fox Business News, among others.
Hicks previously served as faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Marshall University, and the University of Tennessee. He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute. He is a retired Army reserve infantryman, having served in combat and peacekeeping operations in North Africa, Southwest Asia, Korea, and Japan.
In August, Hicks becomes the Director, School of Business and the Eldon R. Lindsey Professor of Economics at the College of Business and Technology at Shenandoah University.
Michael and Janet Hicks will reside in northeastern Virginia.