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Renowned Social Reformer John Gardner Dies at 89

March, 2002

STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS—John W. Gardner, who played a central role in the creation of Medicare and coined the term "independent sector" to capture the idea of the latent potential within America's nonprofit institutions, died Feb. 16 at age 89 in his Stanford campus home. A consulting professor in the School of Education at the time of his death, Gardner joined the Business School faculty in 1989 as lecturer in organizational renewal and leadership and as holder of an endowed chair in public service. The School chose him to receive the 23rd Ernest C. Arbuckle Award in 1993. Former GSB Dean Arbuckle and Gardner met as Stanford undergraduates, and Arbuckle called upon Gardner for advice when he first became dean.

Current Dean Robert Joss recalled meeting Gardner in the late 1960s, when Joss was a White House Fellow. (Gardner helped establish the program.) More than three decades later, he said, Gardner inspired him to become the School's eighth dean. "He had such a tremendous concept of leadership and what it meant to be a citizen," Joss said. "He inspired so many people through his writing and through his personal relationships. He had a warm touch. He cared about you. He gave such wise counsel. We can just try to emulate him."

Gardner was Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in the Johnson administration when Medicare was created. He founded Common Cause, a citizens' advocacy group that aimed to make political institutions more open and accountable. He also cofounded Independent Sector, an organization that supported hundreds of nonprofit groups nationwide.

Jim Thompson, MBA '86 and director of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit organization based at Stanford, summed up Gardner's contributions: "His legacy is powerful ideas and empowered individuals," he said. "As a mentor, he was extraordinary. For people trying to deal with some difficult social problem, John would provide support and great insight. Like a lot of people, I've tried to model my life after him." Thompson recalled that he once asked Gardner if he ever got depressed or scared. "John answered, 'No. I don't seem to have that gene,'" said Thompson, who developed and taught the Business School course Learning to Lead with Gardner and other faculty in the early 1990s.

In March, the Stanford Business School Alumni Association for the first time presented two awards named after Gardner to recognize the contributions of outstanding volunteers. Jerry Tomanek, MBA '73, and Noel Fenton, MBA '63, were honored with the John W. Gardner Volunteer Leadership Award recognizing 25 years or more of service to the School. Lynn Utter, MBA '86, and Susan Austin, MBA '93, received the John W. Gardner Volunteer Service Awards.

—by Barbara Buell