Russell Ormiston

Russell Ormiston is an Associate Professor at Allegheny College, affiliated with the Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business and Economics in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He joined the faculty in 2010 and was promoted to associate professor in 2017. His academic work bridges teaching, labor economics research, and public policy, with a focus on working-class Americans and the construction industry.

Education:

• B.S. in Statistics and Economics, Michigan State University
• M.A. in Economics, Michigan State University
• M.A. in Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University
• Ph.D. in Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University

Russell Ormiston's research centers on labor economics, particularly the impact of labor and employment laws on construction labor markets. His work explores worker misclassification, payroll fraud, prevailing wage laws, and the socioeconomic consequences of wage theft. He is President of the Institute for Construction Economic Research, a non-profit network of scholars conducting policy-relevant research. He also conducts research in sports economics, analyzing fan behavior and labor issues in professional sports, with publications featured in ESPN and Forbes.

His recent publications span policy papers, book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The works collectively reflect a strong engagement with empirical labor economics, public policy evaluation, and industry-specific labor market analysis, particularly in construction and sports. Themes include economic justice, workforce sustainability, and the intersection of labor law and market outcomes.

Scientific Awards:

• 2017 Thoburn Award for Teaching Excellence – Highest honor at Allegheny College for faculty with 10 years or less of service

Russell Ormiston is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. He teaches courses in microeconomics, econometrics, human resource management, and a senior seminar on employment in the U.S. He frequently supervises senior research projects on sports economics and data analytics. While no formal grant funding is mentioned, his leadership in the Institute for Construction Economic Research indicates active involvement in collaborative, policy-oriented research initiatives. His background as a first-generation college student and former coach informs his dedication to student development.

Labs, Teams, and Affiliations:

• President, Institute for Construction Economic Research (non-profit academic network)
• Co-Director (former), Center for Business & Economics at Allegheny College
• Active collaborator with scholars across the U.S. and Canada on construction labor research