On October 12, 1948, before a crowd of 20,000 spectators, Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated as the thirteenth president of Columbia University. Eisenhower's tenure would run until 1953 with the New York City Ivy League school founded in 1754 as King's College. At 57 years old, Eisenhower would take the helm at the institution, still hailed as General Eisenhower, the leader and national hero of the Second World War. With Eisenhower's accomplished record, the Army veteran turned university executive is a good authority from which today's higher education professionals can draw leadership lessons. As one of the standard bearers for the military-affiliated community in post-secondary education, explored here are details about Eisenhower's visionary leadership during his time at Columbia. While the concept of visionary leadership is not a new one, given Eisenhower's historic stature, his example is worth revisiting.

A 1967 "Reader's Digest" story recounts an incident about Columbia University's campus lawns where students were disregarding the "Keep Off" signs. The issue became contentious enough that the chuntering reached Eisenhower's level as university president. Eisenhower responded to the complaints by asking, "Did you ever notice how much quicker it is to head directly where you are going? Why not find out which route the students are going to take anyway, and build the walks there." A 1948 "New York Times" article quoted Eisenhower about his first day on the job at Columbia when he discussed leading troops versus the university's thousands of students. Eisenhower stated, "...at least I was trained for that [military] business. I'm not so sure of this. After thirty-six years in one profession it's been a little adjustment, but a lot of fun to try it. At least there is one thing about it-I will work." These examples demonstrate Eisenhower's common sense and humble leadership approaches. Other terms to describe his leadership style include charismatic, balanced, diplomatic, moderate, and one with integrity. High up on the list of attributes must also be visionary.

Visionary Leadership

In this context, a vision is generally a leader's lofty view of an organization's successful future positioning. During Eisenhower's presidency at Columbia University, his speeches were replete with his vision. In a 1948 "Kiplinger Magazine" article, "Eisenhower the Educator," mentions he had a life-long belief that education can help prevent war, influencing his decision to go to Columbia after leaving the military. This belief surfaced time and again in Eisenhower's speeches while at Columbia. He continuously identified the importance of democracy, freedom, citizenship, and the institution's role in fostering those principles. More than just having a vision, Eisenhower ensured he took the next critical step of frequently communicating his vision. Whether a leader's way-forward plan is termed vision, priorities, or leadership intent, professionals must beat the drum about their vision, consistently communicating it at every turn. By doing this, leaders increase the buy-in of stakeholders relative to the vision, and, therefore, increase the likelihood of achieving the desired end-state.

In his October 12, 1948, university inaugural address, Eisenhower stated, "...every institution built by free men, including great universities, must be first of all concerned with the preservation and further development of human freedom..." In a 1949 university commencement speech, Eisenhower declared: "We trust that Columbia has strengthened within you the conviction that human freedom must be treasured beyond all else - even life itself...If it has done these things, if it has helped you to both wisdom and understanding as well as to knowledge and techniques, then Columbia University has accomplished its mission toward this class and toward the free democracy of which you are a part." These are only a few examples that demonstrated how Eisenhower advanced his vision of academia-cultivated citizenship and Columbia's role in perpetuating the future of freedom and citizenship.

An Untraditional Path To, and From, Working in Higher Education

Eisenhower was not an academic and his non-traditional path to university president generated criticism in some circles. Nonetheless, Eisenhower marched on with his vision for education, largely driven by Cold War era events. The book "Eisenhower in Command at Columbia," written by Douglas E. Clark, contributes a comprehensive perspective of Eisenhower's time at the university. Clark reports that Eisenhower "thought it was more important for students to leave Columbia as better citizens rather than as scholars." Clark posits not everyone, including some faculty, embraced this tenet. Still, Eisenhower would persistently champion his vision for education and for Columbia.

Eisenhower's Columbia University tenure officially ended in 1953. He served only eighteen months overall, according to Clark, because he took a leave of absence after President Truman offered him a NATO leadership position in late 1950. While it is reasonable speculation Eisenhower would have had a more robust legacy as university president had he worked in the position longer, evidence still points to a successful tenure despite hurdles along the way. A 2022 piece by Jessie Kratz contributes information about Eisenhower's time at Columbia, including reference to artifacts of his success, such as "a large portrait hanging in the library, the Eisenhower Leader Development Program, and the College Walk, the main pathway on campus." When he was leaving Columbia before his inauguration as President of the United States, Eisenhower's last speech echoed earlier sentiments. He indicated the training provided by the university would continue to help promote the ideals of citizenship and patriotism. At that time, the university trustees would bestow on Eisenhower honorary positions of president emeritus and trustee emeritus. Among gifts, he was also presented a ceremonial key and a plaque signed by the trustees, all further indicative of his success as a visionary leader at the institution.

The former Columbia University historian, Allan Nevins, would state when reading obituaries, "What memories that man carries to oblivion, and how absolutely they are lost." The higher education community would do well to hold near the memory and positive lessons of Eisenhower's Columbia University experience, usually overshadowed by his other career hallmarks. As in Eisenhower's time, higher education maintains a crucial societal role and the challenges in the country are mounting. Visionary leaders who can navigate a successful way-forward will continue to be in high demand. On this point, Eisenhower fit the bill and his legacy is worthy of both remembrance and emulation.

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