Editors' Note: Farewells, Welcomes, Thanks, Awards, and a Special Issue

摘要

Eleven years ago, Michael Szenberg, Editor-in-Chief of The American Economist (AEX), invited me to succeed him upon his pending retirement. This was an exciting, but at the same time, an intimidating offer. How could anyone follow Michael? Michael had edited the AEX for 38 years-surely a modern-day longevity record for an economics journal editor. Over almost four decades, Michael edited and published hundreds of articles, notes, book reviews, and comments from virtually every specialization and subfield in the discipline. He raised the profile of the journal by publishing numerous papers authored by Nobel laureates and leading minds in economics while at the same time nurturing young scholars who were learning the craft of publishing their research.2 It would be difficult for anyone to follow in Michael's footsteps. When I asked him why he chose to ask me, his surprising response was "the patience and kindness" I had shown to others while serving as an associate editor for the journal. Michael explained that he valued the importance of frank and honest reviews that did not discourage authors but rather encouraged them to improve their work and to correct their mistakes. For Michael, a good rejection letter was "invigorating" as it offered an opportunity to learn how to improve upon one's work.3 As editors write many more rejection letters than acceptance letters, this was the editorial philosophy that Michael wanted to pass on, and I have tried my best to follow it over the years that have followed.