William B. Levernier

Prof. Levernier joined Georgia Southern University in 1989 and retired in 2021.

— Biography from the 2021 Spring Commencement program —

Dr. Levernier earned his B.B.A. in economics from Gonzaga University (1978), his M.A. in economics from the University ofTennessee -Knoxville (1981), and his Ph.D. in economics from West Virginia University (1988). He began his career at Georgia Southern University in September 1989 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1993 and to Professor in 2000. Throughout his career, he was an active researcher, focusing his research on poverty, income inequality, and unemployment rate fluctuations in the economy. His research has been published in a wide range of economics and regional science journals. Later in his career, he also conducted research in the field of sports economics. Dr. Levernier provided a high level of service at the department, college, and university levels, and also provided external service to the academic profession. During his time at Georgia Southern University, he was the faculty advisor to the student Economics Club and an academic advisor to students majoring in business administration. He also chaired the Economics Department Assessment Comminee and participated in writing the department's Comprehensive Program Review. At the university-level, he served on the Academic Standards Committee several times and twice served on the Faculty Senate and the Athletics Committee. External to the University, he served as a reviewer, discussant, and session chair at numerous academic conferences. He also served as a reviewer for many academic journals and was a member of the editorial board for several journals during his career. In addition, for three years Dr. Levernier was the Director of the University's Center for Economic Education. He was awarded the College of Business Eugene M. Bishop Award for Sustained Excellence (2005), the William A. Freeman Professor of the Year Award (2000), and the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (1993). For these and many other contributions to the department, the college, the University, and his academic profession, Dr. William Levernier has earned the title of Professor Emeritus of Economics.*