Richard Stout

Professor of Economics

Contact 309-341-7325 rstout@knox.edu

General Interests
"My current study applies statistical analyses in two distinct areas of study. My new interest is modeling oxygen uptake and maximal effort of cardiac patients participating in rehabilitation programs prescribed to restore as much cardiovascular function as possible. It is interesting, fun and useful to apply statistical methods in academic disciplines spanning anthropology, biology, economics, political science and psychology. That is why I helped to develop the general education Stat 200 course. Lately I have developed a course called the Economics of Nonprofit Enterprises and a course on the history of financial panics in the United States.

My continuing interest is on the reclamation of farmland after surface mining. With help from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, I have collected data on over 700 fields in the mining reclamation program in Illinois. My analyses show that the speed and degree of reclamation depends on specific methods of mining and soil replacement, the soil types at the mined area, the crops planted, annual growing conditions and time."

Years at Knox: 1981 to present

Education
Ph.D., Economics, 1984, Indiana University.
M.A., Economics, 1969, Northwestern University.
B.A., Economics, 1968, Wabash College.

Teaching Interests
Principles of economics, macroeconomics, money and banking, law and economics, public finance, statistics and econometrics.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Publications
"Prime Farmland Variability in Meeting Post-Mining Yield Targets." Proceedings of Prime Farmland Interactive Forum, 1998.

Presentations
State of Illinois' Office of Trade and Investment Seminar.

Campus & Community Involvement
Presenter, Prime Farmland Reclamation Forum, sponsored by the United States Office of Surface Mines.

What Students Say
"Professor Stout presents the student with an uncommon approach to economics. He wants you to understand the material from new analytical perspectives, which leads to a better and well-rounded knowledge of economic principles. He is an extremely helpful faculty member. He wants his students to excel, and for this reason, he always has time to share with you when you need it. He is very approachable and enjoys mixing with students."
-Ferranti Costa, Economics and International Relations Major