A Tribute to Mark C. Schug’s Career in Economic Education

On July 13, the field of economic education lost one of its leading educators, Dr. Mark C. Schug. I had the privilege of knowing Mark for many years and the honor of coauthoring Economic Episodes in Civics and American Government with him. This tribute aims to preserve the historical record of his remarkable career and enduring legacy in economic education.

For more than five decades, Mark C. Schug dedicated his career to helping teachers, students, and the broader public understand and apply economic reasoning. Finishing his career as Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, he helped shape the teaching of economics through his work as a classroom teacher, university professor, researcher, curriculum developer, author, editor, and mentor. Throughout his distinguished career, Schug authored or edited more than 280 books, articles, chapters, and national curriculum materials (approximately 31 of which were authored/coauthored books and monographs, and approximately 131 of which were authored/coauthored journal articles), combining rigorous scholarship with a deep commitment to improving economic education for learners of all ages.

After earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota, Schug began his career as a social studies teacher before joining the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1980. There he taught for 27 years, becoming a full professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and served as Director of the University’s Center for Economic Education for twelve years. ^{His research, particularly on how children develop economic reasoning, helped advance the field of economic education, while his teaching prepared generations of educators to integrate economics into history, civics, government, and everyday decision making.}

Schug’s influence extended far beyond the university classroom. He authored or coauthored more than 30 books and monographs, contributed to numerous nationally adopted curriculum projects, edited The Senior Economist for a decade, ^{and guest co-edited numerous themed issues of Social Education, the flagship journal of the National Council for the Social Studies. Among his best-known works were Economics: Choices and Challenge, Economic Episodes in American History, Teachers Can Be Financially Fit, and Economic Episodes in Civics and American Government. Through these publications, as well as workshops and presentations across the United States and internationally, he helped make economics more engaging, practical, and meaningful for educators and students alike.}

Schug also devoted considerable time to professional leadership and service. He was the founding President of Business and Economics Academy of Milwaukee (BEAM), a tuition-free PreK–8 charter school that opened in 2001 and integrates business and economics throughout its curriculum. ^{He served as BEAM’s founding president for approximately seven years, and continued his leadership service as the charter school’s longtime board secretary. While directing the Center for Economic Education at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Center, Mark launched Youth Enterprise Academy, a program he developed that gave Milwaukee public school students the opportunity to earn money, invest it, and save for higher education. He served on the boards of numerous educational and civic organizations, including the BEAM, School Choice Wisconsin, Economics Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, University School of Milwaukee, and the Association of Private Enterprise Education. As President of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and through these other leadership roles, he promoted teacher professional development and fostered collaboration among educators.}

Schug supported school choice and other reforms designed to strengthen educational opportunity. ^{Milwaukee’s 1990 school voucher program became the nation’s first school voucher program and the pioneering model for school choice reforms across the country, and there is evidence that the increased competition from vouchers incentivized public schools to improve as well.}

Mark spent 37 years teaching at the middle school, high school, and university levels before retiring. ^{Even after retiring from the university and being honored with the distinction of Professor Emeritus, Schug remained actively engaged in writing, consulting, and professional development through Mark Schug Consulting Services and the Office for the Advancement of Free Enterprise Education (OAFEE). During the latter part of his career, Schug developed a close professional partnership with economist M. Scott Niederjohn, working together to expand economics education through collaborative programs, publications, and teacher outreach. Together they led OAFEE workshops in the Economics for Heroes, Economics for Opinion Leaders, and Teaching Economics in American History programs. They also developed and led workshops for the Fraser Institute’s Economics for Journalists program for Canadian journalists.}

After relocating to Port St. Lucie, Florida, Schug founded the Del Webb Tradition Econ Club, which grew to more than one hundred members and regularly hosted distinguished guest speakers, and he served in several leadership roles on the Church Council of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, including president and vice president. ^{His many contributions were recognized through numerous honors recognizing excellence in leadership, research, curriculum development, and service to the profession. Those who knew Mark remember not only his remarkable scholarship, but also his genuine kindness, quiet humility, generosity toward colleagues, and sincere desire to encourage fellow educators.}

Mark Schug’s legacy extends far beyond his impressive record of publications, research, and professional service. He devoted his career to making economics understandable and relevant to teachers, students, and the broader public, and helped shape the teaching of economics in classrooms across the United States. His work influenced fellow researchers, enriched teacher preparation, and inspired generations of educators to help their own students think more carefully about the choices faced by individuals and societies. His enduring legacy lives on not only in the books he wrote and the curriculum he developed, but also in the countless educators and students whose lives were enriched by his lifelong dedication to economic education.

Mark C. Schug: December 23, 1947 – July 13, 2026