HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) — The Council for Economic Education (CEE) awarded the 2024 Albert Beekhuis Award to James Madison University’s Center for Economic Education.

The Beekhuis Award recognizes an affiliated Center for Economic Education in the CEE network for outstanding performance in working with teachers and delivering high-quality programs and community outreach.

CEE’s Senior Director of Programs, Kevin Gotchet stated in a news release that Dr. Albert Beekhuis, the award’s namesake, was a lifelong believer in the value and importance of economic literacy and a longstanding supporter of the mission of the Council for Economic Education.

“The programs offered by the JMU center, and the commitment to driving forward the mission of providing the best and most effective economic and financial education to teachers, students, and the community at large make the JMU center deserving of this award,” Gotchet said.

John Kruggel, director of the JMU center, credits the award to the public-private partnership between the College of Business and Your Economic Success (YES).

“This award is a testament to the support we receive through the College of Business and our funders at Your Economic Success,” Kruggel said. “The public-private partnership between JMU and YES goes back to the founding of our center in 1981.”

Kruggel also said in the release that the partnership not only provides funding and support for the Center, but also allows them to provide programming and assistance to local schools and nonprofits.

“With the continued support of JMU and YES, our center increases economic and personal finance education throughout our community and the region,” Kruggel added.

Kruggel and Center Associate Director Lauren Shifflett accepted the Beekhuis Award at the CEE’s 63rd annual Financial Literacy and Economic Education Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.