McEwen, Robert J. (Robert Joseph), 1916-1996

Robert J. McEwen was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1916 to Robert J. and Mary Ellen (Aherne) McEwen and he had one brother, John. He attended Boston College High School and in 1934, McEwen entered the Society of Jesus where he continued his religious and secondary education at Weston College. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Boston College in 1940, a Master's in Economics from Fordham University in 1943, a licentiate in sacred theology from Weston College in 1947, and his Doctorate in Economics from Boston College in 1957. McEwen became interested in the consumer movement while completing his dissertation on the relationship between fair trade laws and the Catholic theological and social ethics teaching on just prices.

McEwen's teaching career spanned fifty years at Boston College. He began teaching in the Economics Department in 1948 as an instructor, became an assistant professor in 1952 and chaired the department from 1957 to 1970. During his tenure as department chair, McEwen helped to grow the department and was responsible for hiring Alice Bourneuf in 1959. McEwen taught at Boston College until his death. Many of his courses sought to link consumer issues and social responsibility. He also taught economics courses at Loyola University of Los Angeles as a visiting professor in 1962.

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