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John Spry

Professor

  • Education
  • BS, Economics major, Math minor, The Ohio State University
    MA, Economics, University of Rochester
    PhD, Economics, University of Rochester
  • Research Interests
  • State and local public finance, the economics of state lotteries, the effects of tax rates on tax bases and applied nonparametric econometrics.

John Spry, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Finance at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. He earned his BS in economics at Ohio State University and his MA and PhD in economics at the University of Rochester. He has been a member of the faculty at Rutgers University and was a visiting professor at Brandeis University and Ball State University. He has authored several publications in scholarly journals, made frequent conference presentations and served as a reviewer for academic journals.

Spry’s current areas of research are state and local public finance, the economics of state lotteries, the effects of tax rates on tax bases and applied nonparametric econometrics. His work as a consultant includes a report on the economics and taxation of riverboat casinos for the Indiana Legislature and a report on tax expenditures and the budget process for the Minnesota Department of Revenue. He was also a member of the Minnesota Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission.


  • Spry, J. A. (2020). Comment on Sen. Karaca-Mandic, and Georgiou on Stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 hospitalization in four states. Econ. Journal Watch, (17)(2), pp. 270-278
  • Combs, K. L., & Spry, J. A. (2019). The effect of lotto game changes and large jackpots on income elasticities and sales. Contemporary Economic Policy, (37)(2), pp. 261-273
  • Combs, K. L., Kim, L., Landers, J. B., & Spry, J. A. (2016). The responsiveness of casino revenue to the casino tax rate. Public Budgeting and Finance, (36)(3), pp. 22-44
  • Combs, K. L., Crowley, J. E., & Spry, J. A. (2014). The effect of New Jersey Lottery promotions on consumer demand and state profits. Eastern Economic Journal, (40), pp. 326-348
  • Combs, K. L., & Spry, J. A. (2012). Who plays the numbers games in the middle of the day?. Applied Economics, (44)(7), pp. 889-897
  • Blumenthal, M., Kalambokidis, L., Kiedrowski, P. J., Spry, J. A., Temple, J., & Wahl, J. (2011). Tax expenditure review report: Bringing tax expenditures into the budget process. State Tax Notes, (Doc 2011-5959), p.171
  • Combs, K. L., Kim, J., & Spry, J. A. (2008). The relative regressivity of seven lottery games. Applied Economics, (40)(1), pp. 35-39
  • Spry, J. A. (2005). The effects of fiscal competition on local property and income tax reliance. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, (5)(1), pp. 1-19
  • Spry, J. A., & Crowley, J. E. (2004). Assessing the impact of monopoly toll road service areas. Eastern Economic Journal, (30)(3), pp. 381-397
  • Spry, J. A., Coelho, P. R., & McClure, J. E. (2003). The social responsibility of management: A reprise. (18)(2), pp. 51-55
  • Spry, J. A., Coelho, P. R., & McClure, J. E. (2003). The social responsibility of corporate management: A classical critique. (18)(1), pp. 15-24
  • Spry, J. A. (2014). Minnesota Policy Blueprint: Prescription for Prosperity. Center of the American Experiment. Aligning taxes with economic growth. Library of Congress
  • Combs, K. L., & Spry, J. A. (2009). Economics of Betting Markets. In David Peel (Ed.), The relative regressivity of seven lottery games Ch 5. Routledge
  • Combs, K. L., Gray, C. M., & Spry, J. A. (2007). Updated managerial economics and organizational architecture test bank. McGraw-Hill
  • Spry, J. A., Coelho, P. R., & McClure, J. E. (2004). Corporate Social Responsibility: Contemporary Insights.. The social responsibility of corporate management: A classical critique, Ch 3 (pp. 54-76). Hyderabad, India: CAFAI Press

  • Applied Economics, Reviewer
  • American Economic Association
  • Midwest Economic Association
  • Minnesota Economic Association
  • National Tax Association
  • Western Economic Association

  • Professor of Finance, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2021 - present) 
  • Associate Professor of Finance, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2007 - 2021)
  • Assistant Professor of Finance, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2006 - 2007)
  • Assistant Professor of Economics, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2003 - 2006)
  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics, Ball State University, (2001 - 2003)
  • Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, New Brunswick (1999 - 2002)
  • Lecturer, Brandeis University, Waltham (1998 - 1999)
  • Lecturer, University of Rochester, Rochester (1996 - 1998)
  • Teaching Assistant, University of Rochester, Rochester (1995 - 1997)