UC’s Vredeveld Wins National Award in Washington

UC's director of the Economics Center for Education and Research is honored for his leadership and impact on economic education. And what an impact — the center has worked with more than a million students in the last 32 years.

George Vredeveld, director of the Economics Center for Education & Research at the University of Cincinnati, has been honored with the 2009 John C. Schramm Leadership Award. The John C. Schramm Leadership Award from the National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE) annually recognizes an individual whose leadership has had an extraordinary, positive impact on economic education. Vredeveld sets the standard of excellence in economic education and, for over 35 years, he has been demonstrating exceptional leadership locally, nationally and internationally.

George Vredeveld has received NAEE's 2009 John C. Schramm Leadership Award.

Vredeveld began his career in the early 1970s at the University of Missouri. He then became the first director of the Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati where he had an administrative assistant and a budget of $68,000. Over the last 32 years, Vredeveld has led the organization to be the leading source of economic education in Greater Cincinnati, now managing a budget that is well over $2 million with a staff of 15 full-time employees and four part-time graduate students.

The Economics Center is committed to engaging students and empowering educators in economics and financial education. Under Vredeveld's leadership, the center has worked with more than 46,000 teachers and more than 1 million students.

In addition to his exemplary work in the Cincinnati area, Vredeveld has been a long-time dedicated leader in NAEE and has served as NAEE president and NAEE representative on the council board of directors. Vredeveld is a recognized mentor to many people in the NAEE network and is looked to for his opinions, advice and counsel. His leadership in economic education also extends internationally, particularly in the countries of Bulgaria and Romania.

“George has a long list of accomplishments that indicate that he is a leader in economic education, but his leadership is less about what he has done and more about who he is,” says Julia Heath, a fellow member of the NAEE Executive Committee. “He is generous, considered and respectful. He has conducted himself with integrity and grace. He possesses that intangible, that indefinable quality — leadership — which, although difficult to define, is easy to recognize.”

The Economics Center for Education & Research is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the University of Cincinnati. Its vision is to build a vibrant community by inspiring students to appreciate and use their economic freedom and opportunities. Its work in the community is carried out through educational outreach in local schools that enhances financial literacy and builds an entrepreneurial spirit in students.

For more information about the award from the National Association of Economic Educators or the work of Vredeveld and the Economics Center for Education & Research, call 513-556-2986 or visit the center's Web site.