Daniel Eastman, B.B.A; M.A; J.D
Associate Professor of Business Administration

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration; University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Master of Arts – Economics; University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Juris Doctor; Franklin Pierce law Center, Concord, N.H.

Professional Background

Real estate development and management
City of Mequon, Wisconsin alderman
Practiced corporate and regulatory law in Milwaukee
Served as Wisconsin Commissioner of Securities
Served as Commissioner on Wisconsin Public Service Commission
Founded and built renewable energy firm that was ultimately sold to public company
Private equity investor
CEO of local graphics and awards business
Mentor to business start-ups through BizStart Milwaukee program

Professional Focus

As a native Milwaukeean, I have seen the Wisconsin economy grow and contract over the years in response to political and business decisions made by business leaders and elected officials. My work at Wisconsin Lutheran College focuses on developing strong future business leaders who have the ability and vision to guide their organizations and communities into prosperity. Wisconsin has always been an international place with dozens of ethnic groups working together to build one of the strongest states in the Union. At WLC, we celebrate this diversity through our commitment to making Wisconsin a great place to live and work, our dedication to national service outreach and our focus on international programs.

Research Interests

Currently, I am fascinated by the macroeconomic ideas developed by the Austrian School of Economics. The School is an emerging relevance in economic thought. Having studied monetary theory and early supply side economics in graduate school and having lived through the prosperity of the Reagan/Bush/Clinton years, I am interested in looking at qualitative alternatives to the modern quantitative economic models to better explain or predict future economic behavior. I believe economic activity is, at its core, qualitative, rather than quantitative. Somehow, the recent quantitative economic models have not been particularly predictive of economic outcomes in our digital networked world. In fact, some would argue that these models have brought the global economy to its knees. It seems the human nature or psychology based approaches of the Classical and Austrian economists may hold valuable lessons in organizing economic activity as the world seeks new models on which to base financial and economic recovery. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Memberships in Professional Organizations

The Federalist Society
The Ludwig von Mises Institute
SIFE Chapter campus coordinator
The Heritage Foundation
The National Rife Association, legislative and 2nd Amendment defense issues
The State Bar of Wisconsin and the Massachusetts Bar

Courses Taught

BUS 181 Microeconomics. In this course, students explore the nature of supply and demand and how individuals and companies make economic decisions. The focus is on individuals as the basic economic unit and the importance of property rights and freedom to bargain and trade in a healthy economy.

BUS 182 Macroeconomics. In this course, students explore the United States economy as a whole and its relationship to other economies and the global economy. We consider the effects of government interaction, interference and regulation on a free economy and discuss and compare various governance theories and models.

BUS 303 Business Law. This course explores the concepts of individual property rights and remedies under law. We look at tort law, contract law, property law, agency law and various regulatory components of law. The course is taught using a polite version of the Socratic method used by many law schools to expose students to the law school process.

BUS 359 Small Business Management. This course serves as he basis of our entrepreneurial program. We study the issues and challenges facing small and start-up businesses. The final project requires students to develop a complete business plan and to present the plan to the class at the end of the semester. I coordinate the WLC SIFE Chapter and this course is a valuable addition to that program.

BUS 381 Managerial Economics. In this course, we explore the relationship between microeconomic theory and practical business management. We look at competitive markets and the importance of marginal cost, average cost, total average cost to management decisions. We also look at monopoly and oligopoly problems and how they impact society and free markets. This course is important for students seeking positions in management.

BUS 325 Financial Markets and Institutions. Students in this course develop an understanding of the structure, workings and regulation of the global stock, bond, mutual fund, banking, insurance and money market sectors. We use real time financial news to supplement instruction materials so students develop a working knowledge of the current issues and trends in these markets. This course is important for those who want to understand the financial markets and especially important for those students who want to major in accounting or finance.

BUS 326 Money & Banking. Students in this course will study the structure and regulation of the United States banking system and how that system interacts with global banking. We take an in-depth look at the Federal Reserve System and the political and market forces at work each day which influence banking. This class is strongly recommended for those who have an interest in banking, insurance and the financial markets.

BUS 380 History of Economic Thought. This course explores the beginnings of economic thought from ancient writings through Scripture, through the Dark Ages through the emergence of modern markets during the Renaissance. We compare and contrast the prevailing economic theories including, but, of course, not limited to Classical economics, Marxism, Keynesian theory, Hazlitt's response, Monetary theory, Supply Side theory and Austrian theory. We develop an understanding of the importance of the individual and property rights in a free society and we look at the impact of theoretical economics on governance policies. We also look at the centuries long clash between labor and capital to better understand the dangers and benefits of prevailing governance systems.

BUS 401 Jiangxi Normal University student exchange program. I coordinate and oversee our relationship with Jiangxi Normal University in Nanchang, China. We host a number of undergraduate students each academic year. These students are completing their undergraduate degrees in business administration and will return to China our colleagues and friends. I also have had the privilege of lecturing in economics at Jaingxi Normal University.