Alumni, faculty, and friends celebrated the 30-year career of Knox Economics Professor Roy Andersen at a retirement reception held Homecoming weekend.

Andersen came to Knox in 1972 after receiving his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois. His teaching interests included microeconomics, international economics, and development economics. During his career he was named a Malone Fellow for research in Syria, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates; received a Most Distinguished Research Award from the U.S. Governmental Research Association; and received a Fulbright Grant for research in Pakistan.

With two other Knox faculty members, Bob Seibert and Jon Wagner, Andersen co-authored 10 editions of Politics and Change in the Middle East. The market-leading undergraduate textbook has sold more than 50,000 copies. It introduces students to the primary leaders and issues that define the individual nations and the region's role in world politics.

For the celebration of his career, alumni sent memories and thanks to Andersen, many mentioning his upside-down graphs -- Just one method Andersen used to have his students look at things in unconventional ways. "Roy has a quick and curious mind that expands the boxes economists traditionally put things in," said Economics Professor Steve Cohn.

"It is hard for me to imagine the economics department at Knox College without you on the faculty," said Deb DeGraff '80, professor of economics at Bowdoin College, at the celebration. "I only hope that in my own work with students I have had a fraction of the impact that I see in your career."