KEN SCHOOLLAND'S 'ADVENTURES OF JONATHAN GULLIBLE' BECOMES AN ANIMATED FILM SERIES

HPU Associate Professor of Economics Ken Schoolland is celebrated for his engaging teaching style, compelling enthusiasm for economics, and his globally acclaimed book, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible. Known for bringing the world of economics to life in innovative ways, Schoolland reached a significant milestone this summer with the announcement of the first season of an animated film series based on his book, scheduled to have its season premiere September 2024.

Debuting at The Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas on July 11, the series is produced and distributed by Liberty International and the Free to Choose Network. This adaptation introduces the book’s engaging economic concepts to a new audience, using animation to make the subject more accessible and entertaining for viewers of all ages.

Featuring over ten actors portraying various characters in the book, HPU alumna, producer, and actor Rebecca Teresia voiced the character of “Petitioner” in the series.

First written as part of a radio commentary series in the 1980s, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible quickly became a beloved book following its publication in 1989. Since then, it has been published in nearly 60 languages and 85 editions, captivating audiences worldwide.

The book’s popularity has led to its adaptation into various formats, including a play in Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, and Kenya, and even a musical in Kazakhstan and Slovakia! It was also one of the first market economics books published in Farsi in Iran.

This summer, Schoolland was a panelist for the topic "How Nations Escape Poverty" at the Freedom Fest "Brave New World" conference, held at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas on July 12. The distinguished panel included Barbara Kolm, former vice president of the Austrian Central Bank, historian and author Rainer Zitelmann, and Schoolland’s wife, Li Schoolland.

Not one to slow down, Schoolland also contributed to the Eleventh NEU Summer Camp for International Economics and Management Scholars at Northeastern University in Shenyang, China, organized by Li Schoolland, from July 16-19. His presentations covered key topics such as “Policies Contributing to Economic Development,” “Problems of Taxation and Distribution,” and “Problems of Trade Protectionism.”

As HPU's longest-serving professor, Ken Schoolland has dedicated over 40 years to the University. He began his journey at Hawaii Loa College before its merger with HPU. In addition to teaching economics, he has played a pivotal role in running the Free Enterprise Club, the Reason Club, and the Hawai‘i Pacific Entrepreneur Club.

Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Schoolland began his academic career at Sheldon Jackson College in Alaska before joining the HPU faculty in 1979. A graduate of Georgetown University and a Sam Walton Fellow for ENACTUS, he also authored Shogun’s Ghost: The Dark Side of Japanese Education, translated into two languages.

Whether through his adventurous tales, global presentations, or animated films, Schoolland continues to inspire and educate people worldwide, proving that economics can be both enlightening and entertaining.

To learn more about the animated series and to see recent interviews given by Schoolland, click here.