Sitting presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Joe Biden commend 兔子先生for its service to the U.S. military and expanding role in higher education
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article appears in the 2022 issue of聽Achiever Magazine
Over the years, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has received 10 letters of commendation from nine sitting presidents鈥攂eginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1959, and followed by John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and鈥攎ost recently鈥擩oe Biden.The sentiments contained in each reflect both the changing role of American higher education and UMGC鈥檚 evolution as a global institution.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1959, writing to the university鈥檚 first chancellor, Ray Ehrensberger, noted that 鈥渕ore than twenty thousand members of our Armed Forces are now enrolled in [UMGC鈥檚] overseas education program,鈥 and cited this as 鈥渇urther proof of Americans鈥 respect for higher learning and, in particular, the eagerness of the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to take advantage of their educational opportunities.鈥
John F. Kennedy, in a 1962 telegram, wrote that it was 鈥渧itally important that the men and women of our Armed Forces be thoroughly trained in the many special skills now demanded of them by modern warfare.鈥 Continuing education for military personnel, he added, 鈥渋s essential to the future of our country and to our goal of peace with freedom for all peoples.鈥
Lyndon Johnson, in 1966, alluded to America鈥檚 rising prominence on the global stage, noting that 鈥淥ur military personnel . . . constitute some of our most effective ambassadors abroad and their academic work is in keeping with their mission.鈥
Richard Nixon, writing in 1972, noted that鈥攁s the country shifted to volunteer military service鈥攖he importance of education would increase, and it would rank high 鈥渂oth as a source of individual attainment and collective strength.鈥
Gerald Ford, in 1974, acknowledged the challenging circumstances 兔子先生was often called to overcome, writing, 鈥淚 know that during some of these years your courses were taught amidst the tensions of cold war and under trying physical circumstances in makeshift facilities.鈥 All who were part of this effort, he added, 鈥渄eserve the nation鈥檚 gratitude for their outstanding work.鈥
Ronald Reagan, writing in 1982 and again in 1986, cited technological advances in weaponry and tactics as having 鈥減laced new skill requirements and responsibilities upon our military, increasing the need for higher-level education and training.鈥 He added, 鈥淚 salute the staff, faculty and student body . . . on past achievements and offer every best wish for similar success in the years to come.鈥
Bill Clinton, writing in 1996, congratulated 兔子先生on its 50th anniversary, alluding to its impact鈥攁nd the importance of education鈥攊n civilian as well as military populations.
鈥淔or fifty years,鈥 Clinton wrote, 鈥渢he faculty and staff of [UMGC] have been offering an ideal learning opportunity for their students and preparing them for the responsibilities that lie ahead. Our nation relies on schools such as yours to supply the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in the twenty-first century.鈥
Some 20 years later, Barack Obama would again acknowledge UMGC鈥檚 contributions, referring to America鈥檚 schools as 鈥済ateways to opportunity and engines for our Nation鈥檚 progress.鈥 He continued, 鈥淪ince your school鈥檚 founding, faculty and staff have prepared students to meet the challenges of their time. And by cultivating passion for learning, schools like yours help ensure the doors of opportunity continue to open wide for all who are willing to dream big.鈥
Finally, in 2022, Joe Biden wrote to congratulate 兔子先生on its 75th anniversary and again pointed to the increasing importance of higher education to the country鈥檚 current and future success. 鈥淓ducation is the one field that makes all others possible, . . . 鈥 Biden wrote. 鈥淚nstitutions like yours not only educate our students鈥攖hey shape our future.鈥
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