Shivering, 1967 University graduate James Bailey admitted that it had been 40 years since he was a student at Bowling Green, and had forgotten how cold and windy it was.
Within the forty years since his departure, Bailey has led a successful life. Last night, he used his professional experience to advise students on the topic of leadership. His speech was titled, “A Call for 21st Century Leadership.”
This was the first Arts ‘ Science’s Distinguished Alumni Lecture. Based on Bailey’s work, it was obvious why he was introduced as “the perfect individual to inaugurate there lectures.”
For 28 years, Bailey was dedicated to his career at Citibank. He managed its North American Consumer Bank and Credit Card Business. He was responsible for organizations and led as many as 25,000 individuals with offices in 100 countries.
Bailey admits that he failed retirement because shortly after retiring as Citibank’s executive vice president in 2000, he joined U.S. Trust’s Product Management Group as executive vice president. He is also active in service to his profession and the community, serving on the VISA Board of Directors and the board of directors of the Depository Trust Corp.
Currently, Bailey keeps himself busy with other organizations such as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the College of Arts ‘ Sciences at New York University, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and the Bowling Green State University Foundation Board.
With only mathematic degrees, its amazing how versatile Bailey is. He used history as a tool for delivering his speech.
Bailey discussed the eight discrete qualities needed to be a good leader. With each of the qualities, he matched a former president that possessed those qualities.
*Thomas Jefferson, Bailey said, was an individual with a vision.
*Franklin D. Roosevelt had optimistic communication skills.
*Ronald Regan was focused on his priorities.
*Abraham Lincoln had courage of conviction.
*Dwight Eisenhower always prepared relentlessly.
*Truman was able to take risks and make decisions.
*George Washington was a steward of other people’s resources.
*Teddy Roosevelt had passion.
Bailey’s description of these leaders was eye-opening and inspirational.
Kellie Murphy, who attended the lecture, was impressed with Bailey’s words.
“His examples and descriptions of these leaders were very encouraging,” she said. “I also agreed with him when he was explaining that you can’t motivate by fear but by showing that you care.”
By David Schrag
The BG News
Holding a grudge is not part of 1967 University graduate James Bailey’s repertoire. Receiving a “C” in his first math class at the University didn’t stop him from getting his master’s degree in mathematics.
And it didn’t stop him from donating $1million to the University yesterday.
Yesterday the gift given by James and his wife Judy will be used to create an endowed professorship as well as two endowed scholarships.
After graduating from the University Bailey then got his master’s degree in mathematics at New York University in 1970.
Using his two degrees, Bailey spent a 28 year career at Citibank, where he managed its North American Consumer Bank and Credit Card business. Then he retired. But it didn’t last long.
Shortly after retiring as Citibank’s executive vice president he took a job as the vice president of U.S. Trust’s Product Management Group.
The couple’s cash contribution of $500,000 will be split into three parts, with $250,000 towards the creation of an endowed professorship in mathematics education in the College of Arts and Sciences; $125,000 for endowment of a scholarship for students in the College of Education and Human Development, and another $125,000 for an endowed scholarship for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The $500,000 remaining will be a deferred gift through the Baileys’ estate benefiting the same areas.
In his speech Bailey said their decision to provide these endowments to the University came down to a few reasons.
“Teachers are what we need more of, it’s an under appreciated skill in our community,” he said. “Teachers have the opportunity to turn people on or turn people off.”
One of the reasons the money was allocated to these specific places is he feels the arts is under some pressure, and people need the arts.
“The arts are very important whether it’s dance, music, graphic arts, painting or sculpture,” Bailey said. “If we rubbed all of the arts away, if it just wasn’t there, it would be a pretty dull world.”
There were some other contributing factors and one of them was a matter of being sort of a good samaritan since they were able to contribute.
“I guess the third reason is it really just feels pretty good,” Bailey said.
All of the parties involved appreciated the gift and believe it will help the students and faculty benefit greatly.
“We are very grateful to the Baileys for choosing to endow this scholarship,” Dr. Josue Cruz, dean of the College of Education and Human Development said. “The fact that this new scholarship is renewable provides a great incentive for the recipients to work hard and do well academically in order to continue to receive the award.”
