Mark Gearan
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2008-05-11T05:18:35Z
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[[Image:Mark Gearan.gif|right|Mark Gearan]]
'''Mark Daniel Gearan''' is a [[politician]], [[lawyer]] and communications expert. Gearan is the current president of [[Hobart and William Smith Colleges]] in [[Geneva, New York]].
==Early Life and Education==
Gearan was born in [[Gardner, Massachusetts]] and attended public schools there<ref name=PCOLWH>[http://clinton1.nara.gov/White_House/New/other/gearan.html White House. "Mark Daniel Gearan: Assistant to the President]</ref> where Gearan's father was principal of Gardner High.<ref name=PCOLLOCALBOY>[http://campus.hws.edu/new/update/PresClips/A_local_boy_with_vision_is_leaving_Washington_a_better_place+.shtml Boston Globe. "A local boy with vision is leaving Washington a better place" by Thomas Oliphant June 7, 1999]</ref> Gearan's father died when he was 12 and although he was devastated by the loss he never lost his bearings.<ref name=PCOLLOCALBOY /> Gearan applied to [[Boston College]], but didn't tell his family that he had also filled out an application to Harvard until he found out he was accepted.<ref name=PCOLLOCALBOY /> A practicing Roman Catholic, Gearan played the organ at his church as a teenager.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Indulging an irreverent sense of humor, he once played "Bottle of Wine" during a service.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "When you play it really slow like a dirge no one knew what it was," he said.<ref name=PCOL1992>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEEDC133AF93BA2575AC0A964958260 New York Times. "The 1992 Campaign: Campaign Profile; Captain of the Gore Team, Go-Between to Clinton." September 18, 1992.]</ref> Gearan earned his B.A. in government [[cum laude]] at [[Harvard University]] in 1978.<ref name=PCOLWH /> Gearan earned a law degree from [[Georgetown University Law Center]] in 1991.<ref name=PCOLYALE>[http://www.yale.edu/opa/newsr/96-04-22-02.all.html Yale News Release. "Political Theorist, Veteran Journalist, World War II Ace, Peace Corps Director, and more to Speak at Yale this Week." April 19, 1996.]</ref>
==Career in Politics and Government==
Gearan's early interest in politics began when he helped distribute leaflets in Jesuit priest [[Robert F. Drinan]]'s campaign for Congress on a strong anti-Vietnam War platform in 1970.<ref name=PCOLDRINAN /> "As an eighth-grader growing up in Gardner, I had noticed that a Catholic priest was running for Congress amid the political turmoil of the Vietnam era," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLDRINAN /> "From my early days on a bike leafleting the neighborhoods of Gardner, I graduated to driving the congressman," Gearan added.<ref name=PCOLDRINAN>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/02/03/father_drinan_was_our_unfailing_champion/ Boston Globe. "Father Drinan was our unfailing champion" by Mark D. Gearan. February 3, 2007]</ref> While an undergraduate at Harvard, Gearan interned in Drinan's Washington office and worked on Drinan's re-election campaign in 1978.<ref name=PCOLWH /> It was there that Gearan met his future wife, Mary Herlihy, a fellow staffer in Drinan's office.<ref name=PCOLDRINAN />
Gearan worked as a newspaper reporter for the [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts]] Sentinel and Enterprise for one year.<ref name=PCOLWH /> After leaving the newspaper, Gearan was chief of staff for U.S. Representative [[Berkeley Bedell]] of Iowa<ref>[http://www.umfk.maine.edu/valleyvision/release/default.cfm?release=99047 University of Maine. "National Peace Corps director and former White House deputy chief of staff to speak at UMFK commencement" April 16, 1999.]</ref> for three years.<ref name=PCOLWH /> Gearan's first political appointment was in 1983<ref name=PCOLYALE /> when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis appointed Gearan Director of Federal State Relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a post he held until 1988 when Gearan joined Dukakis' campaign for the Presidency.<ref name=PCOLWH />
===1988 Presidential Campaign===
When Dukakis' ran for the presidency in 1988, Gearan originally had the high profile job of managing Dukakis' campaign during the crucial Iowa caucuses.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> When [[Gary Hart]] dropped out of the race, the Dukakis campaign replaced Gearan with Hart's Iowa coordinator and sent Gearan back to Boston to be the campaign's national headquarters Press Secretary.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Although Gearan was disappointed by the decision, he accepted it.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "You know, it's a long life, and there aren't too many other things in politics but loyalty," he said when asked about the incident.<ref name=PCOL1992 />
When Bush announced on August 17, 1992 that he was selecting Dan Quayle as his running mate after previously saying he planned to keep his choice secret until later during the convention, Gearan had one of the sharpest comments.<ref name=PCOLQuayle/> "We learned something about George Bush today. He can't keep a secret," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLQuayle/> "and he can't stand up to the pressure of the right wing."<ref name=PCOLQuayle>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DB1F3CF934A2575BC0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=3 New York Times. "The Republicans in New Orleans; Bush Chooses Senator Quayle of Indiana, a 41-year old Conservative, for No. 2 Slot" by R. W. Apple Jr. August 17, 1992.]</ref> As Dukakis' Press spokesman, Gearan was frustrated by Republican negative campaigning and supported Dukakis' decision to respond.<ref name=PCOLNegativecampaign/> "There comes a time when you respond," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLNegativecampaign/> "The dogs days of August are over."<ref name=PCOLNegativecampaign/> Gearan added that Bush had falsely accused Dukakis of opposing the Stealth bomber and the D-5, a nuclear missile used on the Trident submarine.<ref name=PCOLNegativecampaign>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DA1E3BF932A0575BC0A96E948260 New York Times. " Dukakis and Bush Trade Fire in Heavy Barrages; Democrat Denounces Rival's Stand in the Iran-Contra Affair" by Robin Toner. Augusut 31, 1988.]</ref>
After the election Gearan said that one of the mistakes Dukakis made after winning the Democratic nomination was not re-introducing himself to the American people.<ref name=PCOLReintroducing/> "One of the big mistakes we made in 1988 was we assumed people knew who Michael Dukakis was," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLReintroducing>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB123FF934A25756C0A964958260 New York Times. "The 1992 Campaign: Political Memo; Clinton Seeks to Reintroduce Himself" by Gwen Ifill. May 17, 2992.]</ref> After Dukakis' defeat, Mr. Gearan returned to run the Massachusetts Office of Federal Relations until 1989.<ref name=PCOLYALE /> Gearan was Executive Director of the Democratic Governors' Association from 1989 to 1992.<ref name=PCOLWH /> As executive director of the Democratic Governors' Association, Gearan offered George Bush a slogan for his 1992 re-election campaign with a double-entendre: "Bush in '92. You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet."<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DA123DF934A25756C0A964958260 New York Times. " The Slogan Search Hasn't Yet Been Buttoned Up" by Elizabeth Kolbert. May 17, 1992.]</ref>
===1992 Presidential Campaign===
In 1991 Gearan was offered the job of Clinton's campaign's communications chief<ref name=PCOLCampaignchief>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDE1238F934A15756C0A964958260 New York Times. "The 1992 Campaign: Headquarters; Trying to Gain Mileage By Staying in Arkansas" by Richard L. Berke. May 27, 1992.]</ref> while Clinton was seeking the Democratic nomination for President.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Gearan was unable to accept because his wife was in a difficult pregnancy that confined her to bed for much of the time.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "This was a very exciting time in our lives," Gearan said.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "And Mary was quite sick and had left her job. In the beginning stages, it was one of those deals where we weren't sure how it was going to go. I was not able to move to Little Rock and give the 1,000 percent that was required at the time to Governor Clinton, because I was distracted."<ref name=PCOL1992 /> When Clinton's effort foundered in New Hampshire amid allegations of extramarital affairs and draft dodging, Gearan flew to New Hampshire to help salvage Clinton's candidacy.<ref name=PCOL1992 />
After Clinton won the nomination, Gearan became [[Al Gore]]'s campaign manager during his run for the [[Vice President of the United States|vice presidency]].<ref name=PCOLYALE /> Gearan's job was to ensure that the message Gore delivered reflected the views and strategies of the head of the ticket.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "It is a critical role and needs someone with a lot of skills," said [[George Stephanopoulos]], director of communications for the Clinton campaign.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "But he has Clinton's utmost confidence and really gained the respect of Gore and his staff."<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Gearan had the ability to keep things light during the grueling campaign.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Once while accompanying Al Gore during the 1992 campaign Gearn noticed an old piano at his campus residence at the University of Missouri.<ref name=PCOL1992 /> Gearan is a talented piano player so when told that ragtime music composer [[Scott Joplin]] had once played the piano, Gearan sat down and played part of "Maple Leaf Rag."<ref name=PCOL1992 /> "I'm never washing these hands again," he said.<ref name=PCOL1992 />
After the election Gearan was named Deputy Director of the Clinton/Gore Transition Team in 1992 in charge of Washington operations for Transition Director [[Warren Christopher]].<ref name=PCOLWH /> "I came back to Washington after working for Michael S. Dukakis in 1988 and I was a knucklehead," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLNoheadlines /> "I came back in 1992 and I was a genius. It makes you realize there are centrifugal forces beyond our control. I guess one is always a knucklehead-in-training."<ref name=PCOLNoheadlines>New York Times. "No Headlines." January 3, 1993</ref>
===Clinton Administration===
During the [[Clinton Administration]] Gearan served several roles.<ref name=PCOLWH /> He began as [[White House]] Director of Communications, a position with the title of White House Deputy Chief of Staff. He was then promoted to assistant to the [[President of the United States|President]] and Director of Communications and Strategic Planning.<ref name=PCOLWH /> Gearan traveled extensively with the president on overseas trips to Russia, Japan, the Middle East, Germany, Italy, and Ireland.<ref name=PCOLTurner>[http://www.turnerlearning.com/newsroom/ontheroad/gearan.html Turner Learning. "Mark D. Gearan"]</ref> Gearan helped shepherd Supreme Court Justice [[Stephen Breyer]] through his confirmation hearings in 1994 and said that managing a successful confirmation requires thorough research, an aggressive media strategy, intense lobbying on Capitol Hill and it also helps to expect the unexpected.<ref name=PCOLGameout/> "There's only so much you can game out," said Gearan.<ref name=PCOLGameout>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-07-01-white-house-court_x.htm USA Today. "White House braces for intense nomination battle" by Judy Keen. July 1, 2005.]</ref>
==Peace Corps Director==
On June 22, 1995 President Clinton announced his nomination of Gearan to head the Peace Corps.<ref name=PCOLNomination>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEED7163BF931A15755C0A963958260 New York Times. "Chronicle" June 22, 2995.]</ref> "I am proud to nominate him to lead our Peace Corps into the 21st century, to keep the vision and the spirit of John Kennedy alive and the dream of America alive all over the world," said Clinton.<ref name=PCOLNomination/>
===Controversy over Nomination===
There was some controversy over Gearan's appointment as Peace Corps Director since he had not served in the Peace Corps himself and was succeeding [[Carol Bellamy]], who was the first Peace Corps Director to have served as a volunteer.<ref name=PCOLControversy/> The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), an organization made up of returned volunteers, had urged President Clinton to appoint a former volunteer to the position rather than Gearan.<ref name=PCOLControversy>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2016278.html Friends of Ghana. "Peace Corps Leadership Changes" April 1, 1995.]</ref> However Gearan was strongly supported by other returned volunteers including [[Donna Shalala]], Clinton's [[Secretary of Health and Human Services]], who had served in the Peace Corps in Iran and who addressed the NPCA at their annual meeting on August 4, 1995 in Austin, Texas.<ref name=PCOLShalala/> "I want to talk with you about the President's new nominee -- Mark Gearan. I am Mark Gearan's friend. We have worked closely together for the past two and a half years. He is a decent, thoughtful, energetic and caring man," said Shalala.<ref name=PCOLShalala/> "I strongly support the President's decision to nominate him. He will do a great job for all of us. Please support him," Shalala added. <ref name=PCOLShalala>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/6955.html Peace Corps Online. "Donna Shalala's remarks on Mark Gearan." August 4, 1995.]</ref>
===Accomplishments as Director===
Gearan was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as the 14th Director of the Peace Corps in September 1995<ref name=PCOLTurner /> was director of the [[Peace Corps]] from 1995 to 1999.<ref name=PCOLTurner /> During Gearan's tenure as Peace Corps Director, the Peace Corps opened programs in South Africa, Jordan, Mozambique and Bangladesh and returned its volunteers to Haiti after a five-year absence.<ref>[http://fairfield.edu/x1688.html Fairfield University. Peace Corps Director Mark D. Gearan Fairfield University commencement speaker." April 1, 1999.]</ref> On March 1, 1996, the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps, Gearan spoke about its relevance today: "You answered President Kennedy's call, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' You provided needed assistance to 130 countries around the globe, and you continue that service here at home."<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19961018045328/www.peacecorps.gov/www/press/press11.html Peace Corps Press Release. "On the 35th Anniversary of the Peace Corps, its Director Calls Volunteers 'True Global Citizens' and Cites Continued Service in U.S." March 1, 1996.]</ref>
On June 29, 1998, the United States and China formalized the Peace Corps program in China signing an agreement that established a formal framework for a Peace Corps program in China.<ref name=PCOLChina/> Twenty-one volunteers arrived to begin their assignments in Sichuan province, where the Peace Corps has operated on a pilot basis since 1993.<ref name=PCOLChina/> President Clinton, in China for a state visit said "This agreement represents an important step forward in building the bonds of friendship between the American and Chinese people. As in the other 80 countries where they work, Peace Corps Volunteers in China reflect the finest traditions of Americans' idealism and pragmatic approach to assisting others."<ref name=PCOLChina>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/3641.html Peace Corps Online. "US and China sign Peace Corps Agreement during Presidential visit." June 29, 1998.]</ref>
===Crisis Corps===
One of Gearan's most successful initiatives was the creation of the [[Crisis Corps]], that would send former Peace Corps volunteers into crisis areas for six months or less to help during emergencies.<ref name=PCOLCrisiscorps/> However Gearan later regretted that he had not moved faster in creating the corps.<ref name=PCOLCrisiscorps/> "I lost time and ground because I sought a broad range of opinions for starting the Crisis Corps even though I knew it was a good idea. Today it exists -- and it is one of my proudest achievements."<ref name=PCOLCrisiscorps>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/4185.html Inc. Magazine. "Mark Gearan: My Biggest Mistake" by Mark Hoffman. March 1, 2001.]</ref>
===Plan to Expand the Peace Corps===
On January 3, 1998, President Clinton proposed to expand the Peace Corps from about 6,500 volunteers to 10,000 volunteers by the year 2000.<ref name=PCOLIsrael/> "President Clinton's initiative to put the Peace Corps on the path to have 10,000 volunteers serving overseas by the year 2000 is one of the most important developments in the history of the Peace Corps," Gearan said.<ref name=PCOLIsrael/> "The President's initiative would result in a 50 percent increase in the number of Peace Corps volunteers. This is a strong affirmation of the contributions of 6,500 volunteers currently serving in 85 countries, as well as the work of more than 150,000 Americans who have joined the Peace Corps since 1961."<ref name=PCOLIsrael>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/2014357.html US Embassy in Israel. "Peace Corps Director on the new Clinton Initiative. January 3, 1998.]</ref> However the initiative failed to gain political traction or substantial increased funding in Congress and by the end of Clinton's term in office, the number of volunteers had made only modest gains increasing to about 7,100.<ref>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2017737.html Peace Corps Press Release. "Peace Corps’ Volunteer Numbers Reach Record High" November 18, 2003.]</ref>
==University President==
On June 1, 1999, President Clinton announced that Gearan would be leaving the administration to accept the position of President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.<ref name=Gearanleaves/> "One of the best personnel decisions I have made as President was to appoint Mark Gearan as the Director of the Peace Corps," Clinton said.<ref name=Gearanleaves/> "I believe he has been one of the most successful Directors since President Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961. He has rejuvenated the Peace Corps, and demonstrated a deep commitment to its legacy of service and the women and men who serve as Peace Corps volunteers. He can be proud that the Peace Corps will soon have more volunteers serving overseas than at any time in a generation."<ref name=Gearanleaves>[http://campus.hws.edu/NEW/pres/PresClips/PresClinton.html The White House. "Statement by the President." June 1, 1999.]</ref>
Gearan explained why he left government to come to Hobart and William Smith.<ref name=PCOLComingtohobart/> "College administration generally and, in particular, small, residential, liberal arts colleges have always been things I thought I would like to be a part of, because of their importance, because they are mission-oriented, because they are value-centered," Gearan said.<ref name=PCOLComingtohobart/> "I came up here and was enormously impressed with the students and their capacity and their love for the place and their yearning for learning," Gearan added.<ref name=PCOLComingtohobart>[http://campus.hws.edu/NEW/pss/998_gearan.html Hobart and William Smith Colleges. "Presidential Appointment" by Dana Cooke. Summer 1999.]</ref> As President of Hobart and William Smith, Gearan began the development of a five-year strategic planning initiative and a $160 million capital campaign to greatly expanding the Colleges’ facilities for academic, athletic and residential life.<ref name=PCOLPresident>[http://www.hws.edu/administration/pres/index.asp Hobart and William Smith Colleges. "President's Page."]</ref>
Gearan established a lecture series, the President’s Forum, to bring national and international speakers to the University.<ref name=PCOLSpeakersseries/> Making use of personal contacts made during his thirty years in politics, speakers in the series have included [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], [[Robert Drinan]], [[Sam Donaldson]], [[Ralph Nader]], [[Donna Shalala]], [[Michael Dukakis]], [[George Stephanopoulos]], [[Barney Frank]], [[George McGovern]], and [[Helen Thomas]].<ref name=PCOLSpeakersseries/> "These speakers will enrich the campus life, while at the same time giving our visiting speakers a better sense of the dynamic community we have here," said Gearan, at the time of the series' creation.<ref name=PCOLSpeakersseries>[http://www.hws.edu/academics/community/presidentsforum/index.asp Hobart and William Smith Colleges. "President's Forum."]</ref>
==Other Activities and Honors==
Gearan is the recipient of 12 honorary degrees.<ref name=PCOLPresident /> Gearan serves on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Points of Light Foundation, the Annapolis Group, the Corporation for National and Community Service and The Partnership of Public Service.<ref name=PCOLPresident />
On April 28, 2003 the [[Washington Post]] reported that Gearan's re-appointment to the board of the [[Corporation for National and Community Service]] had been kicked back by the Bush White House.<ref>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2013386.html Washington Post. "Shattered Imprimatur" by Al Kamen. April 28, 2003]</ref> On November 23, 2004, Gearan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the board of the [[Corporation for National and Community Service]].<ref>[http://www.rbj.net/fullarticle.cfm?sdid=52746 Rochester Business Daily. "Senate confirms Gearan board seat." November 23, 2004.]</ref> On November 30, 2007 the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that Gearan was confirmed on November 16 to another three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service.<ref>[http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/NEWS01/711300375/1002/NEWS Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "Hobart chief in national post" November 30, 2007.]</ref>
An article by the [[Associated Press]] on September 17, 2004, said that in the event of a Kerry win in the 2004 campaign for the presidency, Gearan would be a possible nominee for the post of [[Secretary of the Interior]].<ref>[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2023825.html Associated Press. "Kerry's Cabinet: Advisers, governors, Clinton returnees, a general, a Republican or two?." September 17, 2004.]</ref>
==Citations==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.hws.edu/administration/pres/index.asp Biography from Hobart & William Smith Colleges Site]
*[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/4104.html Biography from Peace Corps website]
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{{succession box|before=[[Carol Bellamy]]|title=Director of the [[Peace Corps]]|years=[[1995]]–[[1999]]|after=[[Mark L. Schneider]]}}
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:United States presidential advisors]]
[[Category:Peace Corps directors]]
[[Category:American academics]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:American university and college presidents]]
[[Category:Georgetown University alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Massachusetts]]