Steven Fazzari, the Bert A. and Jeanette L. Lynch Distinguished Professor of Economics, joined WashU in 1982 at age 26, shortly after earning his PhD. Now, 44 years later, he is the longest-serving member of his department.
“It has been a great privilege to spend my whole career at Washington University,” Fazzari said. “Challenging and being challenged by our remarkable students is a source of joy and an opportunity to expand one’s mind.”
Fazzari found equal fulfillment in teaching small seminars and large lecture courses, including “Introduction to Macroeconomics,” which he taught nearly every year through 2013. In a recent seminar, he discovered that one of his students was the son of a student he had taught 30 years earlier.
“Some of my favorite memories at WashU came from talking with a student after class and realizing that some piece of the course helped them understand a real-world economic issue in a new way,” he said. “I could see it gave them the kind of satisfaction I feel when I figure something out.”
In addition to his work in economics, Fazzari played a key role in reviving WashU’s Department of Sociology, serving as its inaugural chair from 2014 to 2019. He recruited 10 faculty members and helped shape both undergraduate and graduate programs.
His foundational work in WashU’s Department of Sociology guided the department to success after being re-established in 2015. The current chair of sociology, Jake Rosenfeld, recently reflected on Prof. Fazzari's time as the department’s inaugural chair with these questions:
- What contributions or accomplishments stand out the most to you about Prof. Fazzari's time at WashU?
“Others can and have spoken more informatively about Steve’s pathbreaking research on the relationships between economic growth and inequality, and his astute analyses on the Great Recession and the prolonged recovery. What I can speak most directly to is his role in shepherding sociology back to Washington University after a decades-long hiatus. For universities to function well, they require people to say yes – and to say yes enthusiastically. To create a culture of competence combined with kindness and understanding, you need people to step up when asked and be willing to carry out the often-unglamorous tasks of university governance, and to do so diligently and with compassion.
Steve is that person.
In fact, he probably said yes a bit too much! He is an institution builder, and one who cultivates and sustains a culture of mutual support all the while ensuring that our high standards are not sacrificed. And we as a department are so unbelievably lucky he chose as one of his many endeavors to put his time and energy behind building us up.”
- How would you describe his approach to teaching and mentoring?
“Endless intellectual curiosity that proves infectious, combined with patience and kindness for students who need encouragement, extra help, or who just want to continue talking about the core issues Steve explored inside the classroom and in his research.”
- If you had to summarize his career in a few words, what would they be and why?
“An incredible scholar and mentor, with an inexhaustible reservoir of kindness and curiosity.”
In retirement, Fazzari plans to continue his research on economic growth and American inequality. He also looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren and traveling to his favorite mountain destinations.
Read more about all announced retirees here.
