NASHVILLE -- Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is filling in one of the blanks in his post-public office life this fall, joining Vanderbilt University as a distinguished visiting professor of political science.
A Republican who served two terms as governor and nearly two terms as Knoxville mayor, Haslam will join Dr. John Geer, the Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science, and historian Jon Meacham to teach an upper-level undergraduate course titled "Leadership." Meacham holds the university's Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair in the American Presidency.
Noting he's "excited about the opportunity" to pair up with Geer and Meacham, Haslam said he sees the class as "a great forum for a lively discussion about leadership in today's political environment, understood in a historical context. I look forward to sharing some observations and lessons learned from serving as a mayor and governor."
The "Leadership" course looks at the actions of political actors to understand how individuals made significant decisions while also encouraging and inspiring others to support their vision. In addition to U.S. presidents, this year's course will examine the leadership strategies of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and civil rights leader Rosa Parks.
"Leadership is an intrinsic and yet mysterious force in human affairs, and the best way to prepare students for the responsibilities that await them, I think, is to consider how leaders of the past have struggled with the defining issues of the ages," Meacham said in a university news release.
Geer said that "in this era of polarized political discourse, it is important to take a clear-headed look at leadership and its importance to the political system" and the course is intended to "accomplish that important goal."
Haslam's "experience and insight offers important perspectives, because not only has he practiced leadership in his years of public service, he has given serious thought to the subject," Geer added. "With Jon Meacham's historical insight, students will have multiple ways to engage with this critical topic."
