Meet Wharton's Newest Faculty: Thomas Sargent
Episode Description
Our series introducing Wharton’s newest faculty members returns with Thomas Sargent, who calls research a “love-hate affair.” He loves what he’s working on until he finishes. Then he wants to try again and do better.
The Nobel Prize–winning economist joins Wharton as the Rowan Distinguished Professor of Finance, returning to the university where he taught in 1970 and found collaborators who helped shape his research.
Stay tuned every other Monday to meet the rest of this year’s new crop of professors.
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Brief Summary
Tom Sargent explains how family memories of the Great Depression led him to macroeconomics, and why teaching and learning at Wharton matter to him.
Key points
- A personal reason to study macroeconomics. Sargent says his grandparents were wiped out by the Great Depression, and the experience scarred his parents. He wanted to understand how economic crises emerge and how they might be prevented.
- Paid to do what he loves. Sargent says he gets to read books, talk with bright students, and learn from them—and that he would pay to do it. He calls the work a privilege.
- From visiting scholar to part of the team. After years of visiting, meeting generations of PhD students, and watching faculty grow into established scholars, Sargent says he feels part of the community.
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Episode highlights
- A personal reason to study macroeconomicsSargent says his grandparents were wiped out by the Great Depression, and the experience scarred his parents. He wanted to understand how economic crises emerge and how they might be prevented.0:30Oct 19, 2026
- Paid to do what he lovesSargent says he gets to read books, talk with bright students, and learn from them—and that he would pay to do it. He calls the work a privilege.“I would pay to do that.”0:53Oct 19, 2026
- From visiting scholar to part of the teamAfter years of visiting, meeting generations of PhD students, and watching faculty grow into established scholars, Sargent says he feels part of the community.“I'm actually part of the team.”1:10Oct 19, 2026
