UC's Vredeveld Named First Alpaugh Professor of Economics

George Vredeveld, director of the Economics Center for Education & Research, has been named the first Alpaugh Professor of Economics at the center, part of UC's College of Business. The chair was established in June by a gift from the Alpaugh Family Foundation.

In addition to directing the Economics Center, Vredeveld also heads up the Economics Research Group, which conducts studies for business and public organizations in the Cincinnati area and helps public officials analyze economic policy issues. He has been active in studying the economic changes in Eastern Europe. In 1991, Vredeveld was a member of a task force, commissioned by the Bulgarian government that developed an economic transformation program for that country.

For more than 25 years, the Economics Center for Education & Research has trained teachers, developed classroom materials, and helped to revolutionize economics learning for students from kindergarten through high school. In addition, the Center provides in-school student programs for both primary and secondary grades, including the Student Enterprise Program, the Stock Market Game and Personal Finance. They are currently focused on delivering economics education to low-income students.

Each of the program staff members has advanced training in economics and education. With their combined experience, they offer unmatched expertise in working successfully with schools and the educational process to introduce and integrate economics into the learning program. The center also supports business and community organizations through client-based research studies.

In September 2004, UC President Nancy Zimpher announced  that economics education for area young people had received a tremendous boost with a $1.5 million gift from the Alpaugh Family Foundation to the UC Economics Center for Education & Research. "I’d like to thank the Alpaughs for their foresight and generosity as this gift will have a great impact on future generations and the economic future of Greater Cincinnati," Zimpher stated.

The Alpaugh Family Foundation gift will allow the center to expand economics education through a new Alpaugh Scholars Program by giving advanced preparation to teachers who will teach economics concepts to their students. The gift also established the Alpaugh Family Chair in Economics. Creation of the chair and the program will develop children's understanding of the importance of the principles of economics and will provide them with skills necessary to play an important role in the future economic success of their communities. Alpaugh Scholars will be selected from local K-12 teachers. The chosen teachers will receive advanced coursework in economics education, will attend seminars and will participate in other activities that will give them the tools to teach their students about economic principles.

Economics Center for Education and Research