Celebrating Service on the Hilltop

By Brandon Wallace '17

After a lengthy and successful career at Bradley University and the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center, economics professor Dr. Bob Weinstein is retiring at the end of the year.

Weinstein received his Ph.D. in economics in 1973 and began teaching in that same year. He came to Bradley in 1980 to teach and serve as executive director of the Institute for Urban Affairs and Business Research. In 1984, he was promoted to Associate Provost for Research. Shortly thereafter, he was named dean of the graduate school. During this time, Weinstein helped the university make strides in community affairs, scholarship, faculty research, and external funding.

“We’ve done some great things at Bradley and it’s been a pleasure for me to be able to be a part of that,” he said.

Weinstein served these positions until 1996, when he took a leave from his role at Bradley to become IMEC president. He retired from his role in IMEC in August 2011 and returned to a faculty position.

During his career, Weinstein was awarded more than $130,000,000 in externally funded grants and contacts.  He published over 75 articles and research monographs on topics related to urban regional economic development, labor economics, cost-benefit analysis, and energy economics.

“If you asked the typical student about one of Bob’s classes, I imagine they would say his classes were challenging, applicable, and relevant,” Dr. Joshua Lewer, McCord Professor of Executive Management Development, said. “He has become one of the department’s best and most popular classroom instructors.”

“Bob has been a great addition to the department,” said economics department chair Dr. Kevin O’Brien. “He not only developed a new course, but all of his courses have been very popular. Bob also took on any service load that we asked him to do. We will miss all of his efforts here in the economics department, but I know Bradley is going to miss all of his efforts that he has built through his career.”

Weinstein mentioned that developing programs to help the community were some of his favorite memories from his career, along with teaching the students.

“Higher education institutions need to be fully integrated into the community in which they exist,” Weinstein said. “If the faculty and students do not have direct involvement in applying their knowledge to help improve the society around them, then we’re missing a great opportunity for students to learn and to contribute to the community. I also loved to have the opportunity to connect with students and have an opportunity to work with them and help them develop as scholars and individuals.”

“Bob is an exemplary member of our economics department and has had an impactful career here at Bradley University,” said Foster College Dean Darrell Radson. “The Foster College of Business thanks him for all his years of service, and we wish him well in this new chapter of his life. He will be missed.”