Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Economics George Arthur Schieren (April 15,1945-) was born in Bristol, Virginia. He is married to Karen Wiles Schieren and is the father of two boys, one girl and two step-daughters. Schieren received his B.A in Economics from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1967. His PH.D. degree in Economics was awarded in 1975 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Schieren's dissertation topic was "The Use of Pontryangin's Maximum Principle to Determine Optimal Economic Policies." Schieren's professional experience includes working as an instructor of statistics at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas for the 1971-1972 school year before being promoted to Assistant Professor of Statistics (1972-1977). Schieren joined Appalachian State University in 1977 as Assistant Professor of Economics and in 1978 took on an additional role as director of the Center for the Study of Private Enterprise. In 1983, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Economics and then full Professor of Economics in 1999. From 1996 to 1998, Schieren was the acting chairperson for the department of economics and from 1998 to 2008 he was the chairperson. Scheiren's instructional activities included teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. He developed the Economic Education Institutes to give school teachers exposure to micro and macro economic concepts and resources to help them teach these concepts to high school and elementary school students. He also developed the student group, "Students in Free Enterprise," to help students learn about private enterprise and create ways to communicate what they learned to someone other than a college professor. This group won a national honors project award for elementary economic education, won first place in overall regional competition twice, and placed third in national competition one year. Scheiren served on many councils and committees throughout his career including Director for the Center of Study of Private Enterprise (1978-1983); College of Business Dean's Advisory Council (1978-1983); College of Business Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (1977-1986), (1991-1993), (1994-1995); College of Business Graduate Curriculum Committee (1986-1991); University Self-Study A Population" Subcommittee (1978-1980); Departmental Committee to Re-organize the Center for the Study of Private Enterprise (1983); University Search Committee for the Director of the Office of Information Systems; Search Committee for the Economics Department Chairperson (1982 & 1984); He organized ASU's successful effort to become North Carolina's representative to the Southeastern Economic Analysis Conference; Organized and hosted the 1982 Southeastern Economic Analysis Conference; Organized two Industry/University Dialog days for Western North Carolina colleges; the 2nd National Association of Manufacturers; Committee to evaluate the University Provost (1991 & 1992); Economics Department Curriculum Committee (1991-1992); Economics Major Advisor; Administration Committee (1994); Summer Research Selection Committee (1994); Statistics Selection Committee (1993 & 1996); United Way representative (1995 & 1996); Department Task Force on Workload Committee (1992-1993 &1997); Departmental Curriculum Committee (1992-1993); Research Award Committee (1997-2001); University Council of Chairs (1996-2009); Arts and Sciences Council of Chairs (1996-2009); College of Business Council of Chairs (1996-2009); Departmental Personnel committee (1996-2009); and the College of Business Mission Committee, Chair (2003-2005). Scheiren's work involved writing and implementing numerous computer programs, presenting and publishing dozens of papers, and consulting. He was also involved in the community by serving on the following: the Blue Ridge Community Theater Board of Directors (1983-1987), the Blowing Rock Charity Horseshow Board of Directors (1985-1995), Friends of Watauga High School Executive Board (1990-1991), and the Blowing Rock Parent-Teacher-Organization President (1984-1985). Scheiren was awarded emeritus status by the Board of Trustees in 2009. -Sources: Appalachian State University Files -Aimee Jones
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