IKE INSIGHT
Your Gift Builds the
Future
The Community Foundation of Dickinson County issued a challenge to the Eisenhower Foundation for their annual Donate Day. If we raised $10,000, it would be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County and a loyal Kansas donor. Thanks to you, we reached this goal!
All money raised through this matching gift opportunity will be added to our endowment.
Don’t miss out on the Eisenhower Foundation news. Email us at info@eisenhowerfoundation.net to be added to our E-News!
As the Eisenhower Foundation approaches our 80th anniversary on June 22, 2025, we have set an ambitious goal: to raise $1,000,000 in support of our mission to preserve President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy and expand educational opportunities for future generations.
This effort is about more than just meeting a milestone—it’s about building a future. Funds raised will support the construction of a new 14,000-square-foot Education Center, creating a dynamic space where learners of all ages can engage with Ike’s leadership, values, and enduring impact.
With your help, we can raise $1,000,000 and unlock a 2:1 matching grant from the State of Kansas. We are off to a strong start, having already reached 38% of our goal. But we can’t do this without you.
Join us in shaping the future and honoring Ike’s legacy. Simply fill out the donation form on the back page and return it to us. Every gift,
The Command Center will feature a flexible space that can simulate the D-Day War Room as well as the White House Situation Room.
Research Travel Grant Recipients Selected
Each year, the Eisenhower Foundation awards grants to support scholars researching primary sources at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in fields such as history, government, economics, communications, and international affairs. The grants help cover living, travel, and related research expenses. Below are this year’s recipients and their focus of study.
• Karl Brown, Wisconsin Balloon Casting in Non-Radio Broadcasting in the Early Cold War at Home and Abroad
• Reed Chervin, Rhode Island The Transnational Taiwan Lobby and Foreign Support for Tibetan Rebels, 1950-1971
• Michael Creswell, Florida Free Riding or Sharing the Burden? NATO’s Allocation of Defense Costs, 1949 to 1989
• Tim Galsworthy, United Kingdom Ike Comes to South Carolina: Party Building, Southern Republicans, and Dwight Eisenhower’s Post Presidential Role in GOP Politics
IKEducation Engages with
the Engineering Expo in Wichita, Kansas, with a booth highlighting one of their STEM programs.
This annual event is organized by the Wichita Professional Section of the Society of Women Engineers and offers free, hands-on STEM activities for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Sharing Ike’s Legacy Through Partnership
The Eisenhower Foundation partners with organizations to present educational programs honoring Ike’s legacy through the Eisenhower Anniversary series, highlighting efforts like Food for Peace, civil rights, and Holocaust remembrance. Recordings are publicly available thanks to support from the Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation. To watch the available programs, visit bit.ly/IkeAnniversarySeries
The IKEducation booth allowed students to “Parachute into History” by exploring key moments in Ike’s leadership where parachutes were crucial, from military operations to space exploration. Participants then discovered the science behind parachute mechanics, constructed, and tested their own parachutes to understand how different materials impact performance.
Food for Peace- A panel discussion highlighting Public Law 480, also known as the Food for Peace Program, signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954.
NATO in a New Era of Collective Defense- A discussion between Admiral Robert Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, and Gerald Seib, Dole Institute Visiting Fellow.
• Eisenhower and Civil Rights after 70 Years- A panel discussion exploring how one of the nation's most unifying presidents navigated a deeply divisive challenge—and the lessons it offers for addressing the issues of today and tomorrow.
• “Indescribable Horror”: When Eisenhower Witnessed the Holocaust- A discussion exploring why Eisenhower’s visit to Ohrdruf was a critical moment in documenting and protecting the truth of the Holocaust. Featured speakers include Susan Eisenhower, Expert in Residence at the Eisenhower Institute, and Allison S. Finkelstein, Senior Historian, Arlington National Cemetery.
Pearson Gives TEDx Talk
IKEducation Specialist Katie Pearson presented a TEdx Talk focusing on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s leadership style, and highlighting his emphasis on humility and building strong bonds with others. Through inspiring stories and lessons from his presidency, Katie illustrated how these timeless qualities can guide leaders in fostering trust, collaboration, and effective decision-making.
Meredith’s Memo
I wanted to personally share some exciting news with you regarding the Eisenhower Foundation’s I Like Ike Capital Campaign. As one of our valued supporters, you are among the first to receive this exclusive update.
Pearson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Kansas State University and has spent her career in teaching, librarianship, and research. You can watch her talk at bit.ly/PearsonTEDx.
New Website Design
The Eisenhower Foundation recently unveiled an updated website design, offering improved navigation and easier access to information. We hope these updates create a better user experience. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about the new site or if you come across any issues that need our attention.
We are thrilled to announce that we have cially moved into the Design Development Phase of the Education Center building project. Our architect, MultiStudio, is guiding us through this critical stage as we work to create an inspiring space that will serve generations to come. Additionally, the Executive Committee recently selected Newmark Zimmer of Kansas City to serve as the Eisenhower Foundation’s Owner’s Representative, ensuring our project stays on track and is managed effectively through completion.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors has decided that we will break ground on the Education Center when we reach the 80% fundraising benchmark, or $13.6 million dollars. I am pleased to report that we have raised $11 million dollars—an incredible 65% of our $17 million dollar fundraising goal. This progress would not have been possible without the generosity and dedication of supporters like you.
In order to keep this project on our aggressive timeline, we need to break ground this fall. If you are still considering a gift to the campaign, I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact as we strive to preserve President Eisenhower’s legacy and expand educational opportunities for people of all ages.
Thank you for your continued commitment to this important endeavor. Together, we are ensuring that Ike's legacy inspires future generations.
Meredith Sleichter Executive Director
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Laura Kelly, Honorary Chair
THE GOVERNOR OF KANSAS
David Eisenhower, Chair Emeritus, Pennsylvania
Jason Thomas, Georgia
Darcy Frick Stewart, Kansas
Col. Jock Scharfen, USMC, Ret., Virginia
Thomas Sanchez, Washington, D.C.
Nicholas Rostow, New York
Kerri S. Reisdorff, Missouri
Jeanette Prenger, Missouri
Nicolas W. Platt, New Jersey
Sue Peterson, Kansas
Randy R. Jurgensmeyer, Texas
Clark S. Judge, Michigan
Charles R. Ewald, California
Mary Jean Eisenhower, Kansas
Gen. Michael L. Dodson, USA, Ret., Kansas
Tim Holm, Secretary, Kansas
Kevin J. Rooney, Treasurer, Kansas
John R. Elmore, Vice Chair, Kansas
Kyle A. Campbell, Chair, Kansas
