Family Ties: Economics Across Generations

Tyler Bowles began his journey at the Huntsman School of Business studying economics in the early 1980s. Little did he know at that time that his family would become a living testament to the versatility of a Huntsman economics degree. Tyler, a professor of economics at USU for the last thirty years, has not only influenced countless students but has also seen his passion for economics ripple through his own family in remarkable ways.

Tyler and his wife, Marni, both Huntsman alumni, have nurtured a legacy of academic excellence and professional diversity among their four children, all sons. Each son, equipped with a BS in economics from Huntsman, has forged a unique professional path, demonstrating the broad applicability of their economics degree.

The bookends of the Bowles boys, Austin and Wyatt, are medical trailblazers, having leveraged their Huntsman training to gain entrance into top-ten medical schools. Both credit their economics degrees with providing a distinct edge in their medical training and careers – Austin is a pediatrician with the Budge Clinic in Logan and Wyatt is a resident at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Medical Center. “Economics is not only fascinating, but more importantly, the rigor and abstract thinking required by economics is invaluable preparation for medical training and practice,” Austin explains.

Mitch, the third Bowles son, brings another dimension to the family’s diverse portfolio of careers. Mitch stayed true to the Bowles family’s long running connection to agriculture. After an undergraduate Huntsman economics degree, Mitch earned a master’s in education, teaches vocational agriculture at a local high school and operates a modest-sized dairy farm in Cache Valley. “Economics was interesting, but the economics curriculum also let me study other subjects that I enjoyed, like animal science and diesel mechanics.”

Tyler and Marni’s second son, Boone, followed a more traditional path after earning an economics degree from Huntsman. After applying his economics and business training as a banker in Logan, Boone attended the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill where he earned a PhD in finance. He is now a finance professor at Texas A&M University where he conducts pathbreaking research in stock market anomalies as well as teaches in A&M’s MBA program. Boone notes that, “The training and faculty connections at the Huntsman school have been instrumental in my academic and professional success.”

The Bowles family story is a vivid illustration of the versatility of an economics degree from the Huntsman School. Whether navigating the complexities of healthcare, pioneering finance research, or teaching the next generation of agricultural professionals and operating an agribusiness, the skills and knowledge imparted by a Huntsman economics degree opens doors to myriad possibilities. This is a degree that does not confine but rather expands horizons, offering a robust toolkit for success in diverse fields.

In essence, the Bowles family’s experiences encapsulate the spirit of Huntsman: a commitment to excellence, a foundation of rigorous academic training, and a versatility that empowers graduates to pursue their passions and make significant contributions to their chosen fields. But their legacy is more than a testament to one family’s achievements. It is a beacon of inspiration for current and future Huntsman students, showcasing the boundless potential of a well-rounded economics education