Allen and Sandy Dalton endow Adam Smith Lecture Series

Allen Dalton, a former adjunct professor for Boise State's Department of Economics, and his wife, Sandy Dalton, recently established an endowed gift to support the Adam Smith Lecture Series. The fund will cover all expenses related to the lectures, enabling the series to continue bringing distinguished speakers to campus to discuss economics, political philosophy and related disciplines.

Allen founded the Adam Smith Lecture Series during his 37-year tenure at Boise State.

"I started the Adam Smith Lecture Series to encourage student understanding that virtue and civic engagement are key elements of a free and prosperous commercial society," Allen Dalton said. "Sandy and I established the endowment so that future Boise State students continue to receive that message. The virtuous life and the prosperous life go hand-in-hand. That is the central lesson we learn from Smith."

Allen's professional background also includes serving as an economist and director of the Center for the Study of Market Alternatives, with a prior faculty role at Arizona State University. Accorded emeritus status in the fall of 2022, Allen has continued to serve Boise State as a Faculty Fellow of the Institute for Advancing American Values, which has the mission of "Advancing understanding and differing interpretations of the values that define and shape the United States of America to further respectful engagement and critical thinking in public education and public life."

Sandy is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor with The Dalton Bahney Treinen & Powers Wealth Management Team at RBC Wealth Management. A Certified Public Accountant and Virginia Tech graduate, she has demonstrated deep philanthropic commitment by serving on multiple nonprofit boards and capital campaigns, including chairing the Boise Rescue Mission Board and the St. Luke's Health Foundation Board.

The Adam Smith lectures typically take place once a year, usually in February. The series features academics who have researched Adam Smith's foundational economics work. Smith was an 18th-century Scottish philosopher and economist, known as the "father of economics" whose ideas laid the groundwork for modern economic thought. The lectures foster open, respectful dialogue that advances the principles of free inquiry, intellectual exchange and a deeper public understanding of Smith's ideas.

If income from the endowment is more than needed for the lectures, the remaining funds will be used for the Dalton Family Economics Scholarship, awarded to students enrolled in the Department of Economics.

More opportunities to learn through economics talks

The Adam Smith lectures are one of several notable talks hosted by the Department of Economics throughout the year. Department Chair Anne Walker emphasizes that inviting learning and discourse about economics is more important now than ever.

"This is a time where people on both ends of the political spectrum are questioning the value of free markets," Walker said. "The newest Gallup annual survey shows American's faith in capitalism has dropped to a historic low, with only 54% saying they have a favorable view of capitalism. But the field of economics will persist in trying to inform the public about the value of economic freedom and limited government intervention."

Brandt Foundation Lectures

The Brandt Foundation Lectures happen once a year, usually in November. They bring noted speakers to campus who have made important contributions to public understanding of individual liberty, free markets, limited government and the Constitution. Brandt lectures have attracted large audiences and contribute significantly to Boise State University and the larger community.

Spriggs Family Lecture Series for Free Market Studies

The Spriggs Family Lecture Series is an annual lecture which builds on current curriculum and offerings in support of the ideas of free market economics. The purpose of this event is to provide a forum for our students and community members that encourages and values discussion, research and hands-on learning.

Department Lectures

Department of Economics lectures are held three to four times each semester and include presentations from invited speakers, economics faculty and graduate students covering a broad range of topics.

See all upcoming economics speakers on the Department of Economics website.

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