Alpaugh Family Foundation Gives $1.5 Million To UC For Cincinnati s Economic Future

The Alpaugh Family Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to the Economics Center for Education and Research at the University of Cincinnati's College of Business.

"The gift will assure that more of Greater Cincinnati's young people understand how the economy works," says George Vredeveld, director of the Economics Center. "By having more teachers able to teach about personal finance, investments and entrepreneurship, students will be able to gain the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to improve their futures as well as the future of their communities. This program and this gift affect the future of Greater Cincinnati."

The gift will allow the Center to expand economics education through a new Alpaugh Scholars Program-giving advanced preparation to teachers who will teach economics concepts to their students-and will create an Alpaugh Family Chair in Economics. The purpose of the chair and the program is to develop children's understanding of the importance of the principles of economics and provide them with the 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 and will receive advanced coursework in economics education, attend seminars and participate in other activities that will give them the tools to teach their students about economic principles.

"Students who have an awareness of economic concepts have a better understanding of money, are better informed voters, are more productive workers and are more confident in themselves," says Vredeveld. "Their understanding of the world around them shows them that their future is determined by their choices, not someone else's."

The Alpaugh Scholars Program will be recruiting local teachers in the 2004-2005 school year.