Erik Thorbecke, Development Economist and Professor, LGB 1948
Erik Thorbecke
La Grande Boissière, 1948
Development Economist and Professor
USA
Find out more about me:
- Profile on Cornell University
- 100 Years of Economic Development Conference Erik Thorbecke Plenary Panel at Cornell
- Interview with Ecolint Futur Director General, Conrad Hughes
I presently reside on Cherry Cove Ranch in Fort Bragg/Mendocino Northern California. My wife’s grandparents who emigrated from Norway bought this beautiful property in 1892. It is a 160 acres forest with over 25 different species of trees- but mainly redwoods. The oldest redwood tree on the Ranch is over one thousand years old. Every day I try to walk through the various paths in the forest. I am still a very active professional in research and I coordinate a number of research projects dealing with African development.
I graduated in 1948 and there was only one campus at the time, La Grande Boissière, and a very low enrollment of perhaps 150 students across all grades. And there was only a French section.
My favourite Ecolint memory is being the captain of the soccer team.
Ecolint instilled in me respect for all human beings. A better understanding of people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Words of wisdom learned on the football field: “It is better to lose playing fairly than to win playing unfairly.”