On July 13, the world of economic education experienced a profound loss with the passing of Dr. Mark C. Schug. Having had the honor of collaborating with Mark on Economic Episodes in Civics and American Government, I feel compelled to reflect on his significant contributions and the indelible mark he left on the field.
For over fifty years, Mark C. Schug dedicated himself to enlightening teachers, students, and the general public about the intricacies of economic reasoning. Concluding his illustrious career as Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, he was instrumental in reshaping the landscape of economic education. His multifaceted roles as a classroom teacher, university professor, researcher, curriculum developer, author, editor, and mentor allowed him to influence countless educators and learners. Schug’s impressive body of work includes more than 280 publications—books, articles, and curriculum materials—dedicated to making economic education accessible and engaging for all ages.
After completing his education at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, Schug embarked on his career as a social studies teacher before joining the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1980. Over the next 27 years, he ascended to the role of full professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and directed the University’s Center for Economic Education for twelve years. His research focused on how children develop economic reasoning, significantly advancing the field while preparing future educators to seamlessly integrate economics into subjects such as history, civics, and everyday decision-making.
Schug’s impact was not confined to the walls of academia. He authored or coauthored over 30 books and monographs and contributed to various nationally recognized curriculum projects. For a decade, he served as editor of The Senior Economist, in addition to guest editing themed issues of Social Education, the flagship journal of the National Council for the Social Studies. His notable works include Economics: Choices and Challenge, Economic Episodes in American History, Teachers Can Be Financially Fit, and Economic Episodes in Civics and American Government. Through these contributions, along with workshops and presentations both domestically and internationally, he transformed economics into a topic that resonates with teachers and students alike.
Schug also played a pivotal role in professional leadership. He was the founding President of the Business and Economics Academy of Milwaukee (BEAM), a tuition-free PreK–8 charter school established in 2001 that weaves business and economics throughout its curriculum. His leadership spanned approximately seven years, during which he continued as the long-serving board secretary. While directing the Center for Economic Education, he launched the Youth Enterprise Academy, a program that empowered Milwaukee public school students to earn, invest, and save money for higher education. His service extended to numerous educational and civic boards, promoting teacher professional development and fostering collaboration among educators.
Schug advocated for school choice and reforms aimed at enhancing educational opportunities. Milwaukee’s 1990 school voucher program was a trailblazer, setting the stage for similar initiatives nationwide. Evidence suggests that the competition introduced by these vouchers prompted public schools to elevate their standards as well.
Over 37 years, Schug taught at various educational levels, retiring as a respected figure in the field. Even after receiving the title of Professor Emeritus, he remained actively involved in writing, consulting, and professional development through Mark Schug Consulting Services and the Office for the Advancement of Free Enterprise Education (OAFEE). In the later years of his career, he collaborated closely with economist M. Scott Niederjohn to further expand economics education, leading workshops in programs such as Economics for Heroes and Teaching Economics in American History. Together, they also developed workshops for the Fraser Institute’s Economics for Journalists program tailored for Canadian journalists.
After relocating to Port St. Lucie, Florida, Schug established the Del Webb Tradition Econ Club, which flourished into a community of over one hundred members, regularly hosting distinguished guest speakers. His leadership extended to the Church Council of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where he held various positions, including president. His contributions were recognized through numerous accolades for his leadership, research, curriculum development, and service to the educational community.
Mark Schug’s influence transcends his impressive publication record, research, and professional service. He devoted his life to making economics comprehensible and relevant for teachers, students, and the public at large, fundamentally shaping the way economics is taught across the United States. His work not only inspired fellow researchers and enriched teacher preparation but also encouraged generations of educators to guide their students in making informed decisions about individual and societal choices. Schug’s legacy endures in the countless educators and students whose lives were profoundly impacted by his unwavering commitment to economic education.
Mark C. Schug: December 23, 1947 – July 13, 2026
Footnotes
[1] Mark C. Schug, Curriculum Vita. (Accessed from Mark Schug Consulting Services on July 14, 2026. Note that the list of publications on his CV was only updated through approximately 2021, so it does not include his most recent textbook and other publications—other sections, such as conference presentations, had not been updated since 2013, but in reality, Mark presented at conferences and conducted workshops up until his passing.)
[2] Mark C. Schug, Curriculum Vita; Mark Schug Consulting Services, “About Mark.”
[3] The Senior Economist was a professional publication of the Joint Council on Economic Education, which is now the Council for Economic Education. See Mark C. Schug, ed., The Senior Economist, vol. 1, no. 1 (New York: Joint Council on Economic Education, Fall 1986).
[4] John S. Morton, Mark C. Schug, and Donald R. Wentworth, Economics: Choices and Challenge (McDougal Littell, 1995); William C. Wood, Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, M. Scott Niederjohn, and Mark C. Schug, Economic Episodes in American History, 2nd ed. (Wohl Publishing, 2019); Mark C. Schug, Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, M. Scott Niederjohn, and William C. Wood, Teachers Can Be Financially Fit: Economists’ Advice for Educators (Springer Nature, 2020); M. Scott Niederjohn, Mark C. Schug, Signè Thomas, and William C. Wood, Economic Episodes in Civics and American Government (Wohl Publishing, 2022). Refer to Mark C. Schug’s Curriculum Vita.
[5] Schug’s international presentations included (at a minimum) the countries of England, Scotland, Russia, Latvia, Sweden, and Canada.
[6] Business and Economics Academy of Milwaukee (BEAM), “About BEAM“; Mark C. Schug, “Restart Your Engine: How to Educate an American,” Econlib, January 4, 2021.
[7] Mark C. Schug and Eric A. Hagedorn, “Milwaukee’s Youth Enterprise Academy: An Eight-Year Study of a Model Program for Urban Youth,” The Social Studies 97, no. 2 (March–April 2006); ERIC, “Milwaukee’s Youth Enterprise Academy: An Eight-Year Study of a Model Program for Urban Youth,” EJ744217; M. Scott Niederjohn, “Schug: A Giant of Economics Education Took Lessons Beyond Classrooms to Anyone Willing to Learn,” Badger Institute, July 16, 2026.
[8] Mark Schug Consulting Services, “About Mark.”
[9] School Choice Wisconsin, Parent Choice in Wisconsin; Rajashri Chakrabarti, “Can Increasing Private School Participation and Monetary Loss in a Voucher Program Affect Public School Performance? Evidence from Milwaukee,” Journal of Public Economics 92, nos. 5–6 (June 2008): 1371–1393.
[10] Mark Schug Consulting Services, “About Mark.”
[11] Office for the Advancement of Free Enterprise Education (OAFEE), “Mark C. Schug – Senior Program Advisor & Faculty“; Office for the Advancement of Free Enterprise Education (OAFEE).
[12] Fraser Institute, “Economics for Journalists“; William Watson, “My ‘Aha! Moment’ on Minimum Wages…and More,” Fraser Institute, May 11, 2018.
[13] Mark Schug Consulting Services, “About Mark”; Martin Funeral Home & Crematory, “Obituary of Mark C. Schug.”
[14] Mark C. Schug, Curriculum Vita; Mark Schug Consulting Services, “About Mark.”
