Princeton graduates celebrating their achievements during the Baccalaureate ceremony.
Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, addressed Princeton University’s graduating class, sharing insights from his unconventional path from politics to central banking. He discussed his initial disinterest in economics, his diverse career journey including law school, and his role in the Fed’s critical response during the pandemic. Powell emphasized the importance of higher education and offered reflections on leadership amid political challenges, signaling the ongoing evolution of his career and the future of the Federal Reserve.
At a recent Baccalaureate ceremony, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell took the stage to address Princeton University’s graduating class, reflecting on his life, education, and career. As a proud graduate of Princeton, where he received his degree in politics 50 years ago, Powell’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Interestingly, Powell didn’t follow the traditional path of pursuing a degree in economics. In his own words, he found economics to be “boring and useless” during his college years. Fast forward to today, and after over a decade at the Federal Reserve, Powell humbly admitted he might have been mistaken about the value of economics in shaping economic policy.
After graduation, Powell faced the reality that many graduates share—no clear plan for what came next. While many of his classmates were embarking on journeys to prestigious graduate schools or careers in politics and Wall Street, Powell found himself taking a different route. He humorously recounted spending six months working in a warehouse, labeling shelves. Though it may have seemed like a detour at the time, he later recognized that this experience was a blessing in disguise.
After that brief stint in warehousing, Powell attended law school at Georgetown University, bringing a newfound determination to seize opportunities. Following law school, his career took him through various roles in investment banking and even the Treasury Department. His journey would eventually lead him to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where he was nominated by then-President Barack Obama in 2011 and confirmed by the Senate in 2012.
Powell’s career continued to evolve as he was later nominated as chair of the Federal Reserve by President Donald Trump in 2017. In an interesting twist, President Joe Biden also renominated Powell for the position in 2021, demonstrating a bipartisan appreciation for his leadership. However, it’s not all been smooth sailing, as Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Powell’s performance, particularly concerning interest rates, causing quite a stir in the political landscape.
During his address at Princeton, Powell took the opportunity to defend the Federal Reserve’s rapid response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fed’s prompt actions—such as slashing interest rates and initiating an asset-purchase program—were pivotal in stabilizing the economy during one of its most challenging times. He lauded the civil servants at the Fed for their commitment and hard work in those trying moments, dubbing them heroes for their contributions.
Despite his sometimes contentious relationship with former President Trump, Powell chose not to engage publicly with the criticisms aimed at him, including the calls for rate cuts due to inflation concerns. Interestingly, as inflation has continued to be a hot topic, some believe that Powell and the Fed could have acted more promptly to tackle the ensuing challenges, but he emphasized that collective efforts have generally helped avert the worst economic outcomes.
In addition to discussing his career, Powell also took a stand for American universities, calling them a “crucial national asset.” He criticized funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration, urging graduates to appreciate the role of education in shaping their futures and the nation’s economy.
As Powell prepares to navigate what lies ahead in his career and the ever-evolving economic landscape, there are whispers that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh might be positioning himself as a potential successor. The future of the Federal Reserve remains uncertain, but if his Baccalaureate address is any indication, Powell’s insights and experiences will continue to shape the conversation around economics and policy for years to come.
As Princeton graduates step into the world with new perspectives and ambitions, Powell’s reflections serve as a reminder that every path has its ups and downs, and sometimes, the unexpected turns can lead to the most fulfilling journeys.
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