About John W. Gardner: A Timeline

"John Gardner stands as an exemplar of the power of one individual to have a positive impact on society," said Stanford President John Hennessy at the time of Gardner’s death in 2002. "His life should remind all of us that education and public service can work together as a powerful force to improve the world in which we live. At Stanford, we are exceedingly fortunate and proud to have called him our colleague—his name and good works will continue to inspire students, staff, and faculty for years to come."

Academic

John W. Gardner was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 8, 1912. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in psychology from Stanford in 1935 and 1936, respectively. In 1938, he received a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. As an undergraduate, Gardner set many Pacific Coast intercollegiate records in swimming. In 1976, the Stanford Athletic Board awarded him with a Distinguished Achievement Medal. 

Veteran

As the United States entered World War II, he headed the Latin American section of the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service. In 1943, he joined the Marine Corps.

Leader

After the war ended, he joined the Carnegie Corporation, becoming its president in 1955. Gardner also led the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In that capacity, he helped establish the White House Fellows program in 1964.

"Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities," he wrote in his book on the subject. "There are quiet leaders and leaders one can hear in the next county. Some find strength in eloquence, some in judgment, some in courage."

Author

Gardner wrote several books, including, Excellence: Can We Be Equal and Excellent Too? The 1961 book argued that the United States must strive for excellence and equality at every level of society. It caught the attention of President John F. Kennedy, who asked Gardner to edit his 1962 book, To Turn the Tide.

In 1964, Gardner wrote Self-Renewal: The Individual and the Innovative Society. In this book, his most popular, Gardner reflected on individual renewal and the renewal of society. 

"Failure to face the realities of change brings heavy penalties," he said. "Individuals become imprisoned in their own rigidities. Great institutions deteriorate. Civilizations fall. Yet decay is not inevitable. There is also renewal."

Presidential Advisor

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Gardner as secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 

Engineer

As the engineer of Johnson's "Great Society" program, he helped to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act, launch Medicare, pass the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and create the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Fortune magazine estimated that Gardner supervised programs that affected 195 million Americans.

Coalition Builder 

In 1968, as opposition to the war in Vietnam increased and urban violence erupted at home, Gardner resigned from the Johnson Administration. A few weeks later, he became chairman of the Urban Coalition, an organization that brought together leaders from labor, industry, and government to tackle the underlying problems that fueled riots in cities nationwide that year.

Advocate 

In 1970, Gardner founded Common Cause, a citizen's advocacy group that aimed to make political institutions more open and accountable. When the group sued President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign in 1972, Gardner's name appeared on Nixon's infamous "enemies list." In 1974, in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Common Cause helped gain the adoption of landmark legislation that placed limits on political contributions and instituted disclosure requirements for electoral campaigns.

Supporter

In 1977, Gardner retired from Common Cause to become chairman of the Commission on White House Fellowships. Two years later, he co-founded Independent Sector, an organization that supported hundreds of nonprofit groups nationwide.

Public Scholar

Stanford President Don Kennedy recruited Gardner back to the Farm in 1989. He became the first Miriam and Peter Haas Centennial Professor in Public Service, a chair awarded to an inspired and inspiring public scholar and teacher who exemplifies integration of research and teaching with engagement in social issues and public service. He retained the chair until his retirement in 1996. As co-founder and member of its National Advisory Board, he helped steer the Haas Center's development until his death in 2002.

Namesake

In the fall of 2000, we established the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford. Speaking at the Center’s opening, Gardner said the public had finally understood the importance of youth development. "If you want to train leaders you have to start early," he said. "If you want to keep kids out of prison you have to start early. But it isn't easily done." The center's mission is to conduct research, educate the public, and persuade diverse groups to work together to seek more effective solutions to the problems facing youth.

Honoree

In 1984, Stanford Associates awarded him the Degree of Uncommon Man, the university's highest honor. In 1991, he delivered the keynote address at Stanford’s centennial commencement ceremonies and, in October 2012, Stanford celebrated the centennial of his birth with an event hosted by the Gardner Center. He was a consulting professor in the School of Education at the time of his death.

John W. Gardner Papers

Stanford Libraries is home to many of Gardner’s personal and professional papers. There are also recordings and photographs from throughout his life, and a collection of oral histories. A Spotlight exhibit serves as an introduction to this archive, highlighting Gardner’s life and his lasting impact on education, public service, and Stanford University.

To learn more about Gardner's life and the collections at Stanford, you can access the Spotlight exhibit here.

Learn more about John W. Gardner