LEWISBURG, Pa. — These are Bucknell University story ideas that may interest you in November.
ARGENTINA’S ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE — The Trump administration recently announced up to $40 billion in aid to Argentina, intended to prop up the faltering economy of the country’s Trump-aligned President Javier Milei. President Trump has suggested that the aid package could be pulled if Milei’s party did not prevail in the Oct. 26 midterm elections. Professor Matias Vernengo, economics, director of the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy, has been a worldwide media expert on Argentina’s economy as a former senior research manager at the Central Bank of Argentina who has also been an external consultant to several United Nations organizations. In an Oct. 2 episode of the podcast Organized Money entitled “The Very Weird Farmer Revolt Against Trump…Over a Bailout of Argentina,” Vernengo calls the bailout a “political bailout as much as a financial bailout.” He says, “The same structural reforms that would help farmers in Iowa would help farmers in Argentina; policies such as promoting local production and middle-class income.” While U.S. interests have become complicated in the deal, Vernengo says, “It is a bailout of hedge fund investors through Argentina and a small group of soybean exporters.” CONTACT: Vernengo, 570-577-1939, m.vernengo@bucknell.edu
CREATING WORKPLACE CULTURE — Workplace anxiety and depression are on the rise due to such factors as financial stress and a rapidly changing work environment. Freeman College of Management Professor, Neil Boyd, management & organizations, the David J. ’85 & Deborah West Professor in Management, researches effective workplace environment and employee happiness. In his new book, Building Community at Work (2025), he argues that companies that prioritize efficiency, productivity and high performance can’t afford to ignore workplace culture too. Employees who feel connected to their work, colleagues, and an organization’s mission, aren’t just happier – they are also more effective, according to Boyd. “It’s one thing for employees to feel like they belong, but true workplace community goes deeper — it includes a sense of responsibility for the well-being of others as a whole,” he says. “It’s what I call ‘community responsibility.’” Boyd hopes his book will serve as a guide for how leaders and managers can nurture a sense of belonging and shared commitment among employees, in turn creating a thriving business. Read more here. CONTACT: Boyd, 570-577-1821, nmb015@bucknell.edu
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT — November is National Entrepreneurship Month, which celebrates the vision, creativity, and resilience of entrepreneurs. At Bucknell, there are various avenues through which entrepreneurship is celebrated and encouraged. The Pericelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation serves as a catalyst that helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Students from all three of Bucknell’s colleges are welcome to engage in hands-on opportunities that allow them to create products, imagine innovative new businesses and consider solutions to global problems in any discipline. In November, PGCEI Entrepreneur in Residence, Cristiano Bierrenbach ’96, executive vice president of international numismatics, Heritage Auctions, will be present on campus, attending classes and engaging with the E&I student organization and affinity house. Bucknell’s Small Business Development Center also provides confidential, no-cost consulting and educational workshops to help entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses throughout central Pennsylvania. It serves Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. They are two of the sponsors when Bucknell hosts the Dream Conference on Friday, Nov 14. The event is designed to challenge young entrepreneurs to rise up and meet the needs of an ever-changing world. “We’re excited to host entrepreneurial middle and high-school students as they learn about how to create value in a changing world, and effectively pitch their innovative ideas,” says Erin Jablonski, director, The Perricelli-Gegnas Center, and one of the event organizers. “We encourage our students to address societal, economic, and environmental challenges by recognizing opportunities for change and challenging convention. Society won’t progress without new ideas and the entrepreneurs who pursue them.” Additionally, the SBDC will host a “Business Growth and Networking” event at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov 19 at StartUp Danville, one of the Bucknell SBDC’s three community-based business incubators.“Throughout National Entrepreneurship Month the SBDC will present a series of four programs for entrepreneurs of the region, ranging from startup tips to AI tools for innovation,” says Steven Stumbris, director, Small Business Development Center, “Each of these sessions are open to all members of the community, and the StartUp Danville event will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest incubator member firm.” CONTACTS: Jablonski, 570-577-1644, erin.jablonski@bucknell.edu; Stumbris, 570-577-3791, sstumbri@bucknell.edu
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CONTACT: Mike Ferlazzo, 570-577-3212, 570-238-6266 (c), mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu