Beyond Running the Numbers: Chasing the Creative Side of Data, Math
Nathan Caldwell '27 co-moderates a 2026 discussion on campus through Dickinson's Burgess Institute for the Global Economy. Photo by Dan Loh.
Student Snapshot: Nathan Caldwell ’27
Nathan Caldwell ’27 doesn’t just run the numbers—he explores the stories behind them. One of two Red Devil athletes named Centennial Conference Scholar of the Year in 2025, he’s conducted student-faculty research on the effects of pandemic lockdowns and on connections between crop prices and fertility rates. Along the way, he discovered a passion for the creative side of economics and math. Recently, Nathan co-moderated an on-campus panel discussion about the global economy.
Hometown:
Ringwood, N.J.
High school:
Lakeland Regional High School.
Major:
Quantitative economics and mathematics.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience:
The relationships I’ve built. Whether it’s a coach, professor or friend, I know they’re there to support me and want the best for me going forward.
Best thing about my major:
Within both my majors, the professors I’ve had are super friendly and attentive. They get to know you as a student, in and out of the classroom.
On choosing Dickinson:
Dickinson was initially placed on my radar by Head Cross Country Coach Don Nichter, who reached out to recruit me. When I visited the team and toured the campus, I found that most Dickinsonians were down-to-earth people with a wide variety of interests. Dickinson allows for the academic freedom I wanted, while also surrounding me with people I’d want to be with.
Clubs and organizations:
Cross country, track and field, Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Beta Kappa.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Provost Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa honor society and Centennial Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Favorite class:
One of the most interesting classes I’ve taken is Real Analysis with Professor of Mathematics Lorelei Koss. The content challenged me in ways I hadn’t been challenged before. It also showed me the importance of creativity in math, which was not something I had expected to need as much as I do.
Favorite professor:
While I briefly worked with Associate Professor of Economics Shamma Alam on a research project during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, it was not until my senior seminar that I got to know him. Professor Alam cultivates great discussion and invests in his students, advocating for and providing opportunities for students to get involved in economics outside of the classroom. I now have the pleasure of working with him again.
About my research:
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in two research projects in economics. During the summer after my freshman year, I worked with Professor Marshall on studying the effects of pandemic lockdown lengths on physical and mental-health measures. Now, I am involved in a project with Professor Alam regarding how changes in crop prices affect fertility rates in the developing country of Burkina Faso.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I plan to pursue a higher degree, most likely a Ph.D., in economics. I’m in the process of searching and applying to graduate schools and intend to start in spring 2027.
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Published July 9, 2026