The Art of Leadership: Lessons from the American Presidency

Lecture description: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham explores what 21st-century leaders in different fields of endeavor can learn from the greatest moments of our common past. This non-partisan presentation features lessons ranging from Jefferson's pragmatism and JFK's capacity to recover from his own mistakes to the management of conflicting egos as shown by Reagan and FDR and how George HW Bush dealt with the end of his Presidency. Meacham discusses how history can inform the decisions all of us make every day in positions that demand creative and innovative solutions.

Bio: Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian, bestselling author, and one of America's most respected public intellectuals. A sought-after commentator, he frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN, and other national news outlets, where he brings historical perspective to today's political, cultural, and civic issues.

Meacham served as managing editor and later editor of Newsweek from 1998 to 2010. He is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope, American Gospel, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, which won the Pulitzer Prize. His biography of President George H. W. Bush, Destiny and Power, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In addition to his books, Meacham created and narrated the acclaimed History Channel podcasts Hope Through History and It Was Said, exploring pivotal moments and voices that have shaped the American experience. He has also appeared in Ken Burns' The Roosevelts: An Intimate History and is a frequent guest on major news and public affairs programs.

Named a "Global Leader for Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum, Meacham is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Through his writing, speaking, and media appearances, he has become one of the nation's leading voices on American history and its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

This event is part of UAA’s College of Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series “The Art and Science of Our Nation.” Please join us as we celebrate knowledge, inspire curiosity, and strengthen the bonds that make our community unique.