Ike Insight August2025

IKE

INSIGHT

AUGUST 2025

YOU DID IT!

The Exploration Hall will welcome learners of all ages and will feature experiences that highlight pivotal moments in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s military and presidential career.

Thanks to donors from all 50 states, $1,037,414 was raised in honor of The Eisenhower Foundation’s 80th anniversary, June 22, 2025.

I Like Ike Still Rings True

These gifts were matched 1:1 by our Board of Directors and Trustees collectively.

The Eisenhower Foundation continues to make significant progress towards our I Like Ike Capital Campaign goal. Thanks to recent generous gifts received from the Anne C. Eagles estate, the William T. Kemper Foundation – Commerce Bank, Trustee (Kansas City, MO), and numerous Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation, we are thrilled to announce we have now raised $12.6 million – 74% of our $17 million fundraising goal.

This tremendous progress is made possible by your continued support.

In addition, the State of Kansas provided a 2:1 match — meaning over $3,000,000 was added to the I Like Ike Capital Campaign!

McCownGordon Construction has been selected as our Construction Manager for the Education Center. Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, with a regional office in Manhattan, KS, McCownGordon is widely respected for its collaborative approach, community focus, and strong track record of delivering high-quality civic and cultural projects across the Midwest.

We are ensuring future generations know Ike’s legacy.

We remain committed to our ambitious goal of breaking ground before the end of this year. If you are still considering a gift to the campaign, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Every contribution brings us one step closer to building a world-class education facility that honors President Eisenhower’s legacy.

Email us at info@eisenhowerfoundation.net to be added to our E-News!

Inside

fi

New Educator’s Guide ..….. 2 Temporary Exhibit ……..….. 2 Events & Programs ....…….. 3 Meredith’s Memo …..……… 3

The Learning Lab will provide tools and encouragement for students to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. From space to landscapes, it will celebrate Ike’s commitment to scienti c progress and the arts.

New IKEducation Programs for 2025-2026 Our IKEducation team has been hard at work preparing new programs for the upcoming school year. One of the newest additions to our civics education series is “Path to Naturalization,” which is offered to grades 4-12. Approximately one million people become naturalized citizens of the United States each year, and the program gives students the opportunity to learn about the steps and requirements of the naturalization process. Like many of the other IKEducation programs, “Path to Naturalization” will be available to students onsite, online, or as part of our classroom outreach program.

Local students will be able to see what they’ve learned in action, as the Eisenhower Presidential Library will be hosting its rst naturalization ceremony on September 17.

The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony and celebrate our newest United States citizens.

The 2025-2026 Educator’s Guide details the IKEducation program offerings and will be available online at bit.ly/IKEdGuide.

Honoring Veterans

Newsweek Nomination In July, Newsweek announced the nomination of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home for “Best Presidential Attraction” in its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

This is the rst time Abilene has been honored by Newsweek.

“Being nominated by Newsweek is a tremendous honor,” said Todd Arrington, Director of the Library and Museum. “It’s a re ection of the important work we do to preserve and share the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower—one of America’s most admired leaders.”

In early August, Mary Whyte joined us for a reception to speak about her portrait project and sign copies of her book. She plans to return in November to lead an art program for veterans.

We will also be hosting a special exhibit reception on November 7 during the Flint Hills Military History Symposium.

fi

APRIL 2025

fl

fi

2

In May, The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum opened WE THE PEOPLE: Portraits of Veterans in America. This inspirational showcase features 50 stunning largescale watercolor portraits by internationally acclaimed artist Mary Whyte, capturing the essence of today's heroes. WE THE PEOPLE: Portraits of Veterans in America is on display in the Museum Special Gallery through December 2025.

In July, The Eisenhower Foundation and Abilene American Contract Bridge League (ABCL) hosted the 10th Annual Eisenhower Bridge Bene t in the Courtyard of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Proceeds from the bridge game bene t IKEducation, which provides programs free of charge to schools across the United States through onsite eld trips, virtual learning opportunities, and classroom outreach. In total, $1,591.20 was raised.

Meredith’s Memo As we continue to celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Eisenhower Foundation, I nd myself re ecting on how much has been accomplished in such a short time. The past few months have been exhilarating, and I remain humbled by the generosity of our supporters from across the country.

Thanks to the dedication of those who still proudly “Like Ike,” we are making significant progress toward our fundraising goals. But there is still more to do – and we need your help.

That is why I am personally inviting you to join our campaign to honor the enduring legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower. When you make a campaign gift by the end of 2025, your name will be included in a special, leatherbound book to be presented during the opening ceremonies of the new Education Center.

This grassroots effort is being powered by gifts both large and small from donors all over the nation – and even around the world.

Pictured (left to right) are David Mills and Georgia Reynolds of the Abilene ACBL and tournament winners Elizabeth Jankord and Amit Chakrabarti of Manhattan, KS.

Symphony at Sunset The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum partnered with the Salina Symphony to commemorate D-Day with the annual outdoor concert in June.

In addition to the symphony, there were special performances by the 1st Infantry Division Band, The Blades, a harpist in the Place of Meditation, and Fort Riley’s mounted color guard.

Thank you for your consideration and thank you for helping secure another 80 years of sharing the legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Meredith Sleichter Executive Director

Follow Us

facebook.com/eisenhowerfoundation instagram.com/eisenhowerfoundation x.com/eisenhowerfound

Throughout the day, The Eisenhower Foundation’s IKEducation team provided Hands on History carts at the museum, which gave visitors the opportunity to interact with Eisenhower-era history.

Symphony at Sunset was generously sponsored by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Marshall Motors, Kansas Gas Service, and the Friends of The Eisenhower Foundation.

Photo courtesy of the Salina Symphony

fi

fi

fi

fi

3

fl

fi

10th Bridge Bene t Held

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Full Name Street Address City, State, Zip Phone My gift is for:

Capital Campaign

Email IKEducation

Anniversary Series

Friends Membership

Where Needed Most

Enclosed is my check, made payable to the Eisenhower Foundation OR please charge my: Visa

In the amount of:

$34

MasterCard $100

$250

Discover $500

American Express

$1,000

$2,500

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kyle A. Campbell, Chair, Kansas John R. Elmore, Vice Chair, Kansas Kevin J. Rooney, Treasurer, Kansas Tim Holm, Secretary, Kansas Gen. Michael L. Dodson, USA, Ret., Kansas Mary Jean Eisenhower, Kansas Charles R. Ewald, California Clark S. Judge, Michigan Randy R. Jurgensmeyer, Texas Sue Peterson, Kansas Nicolas W. Platt, New Jersey Jeanette Prenger, Missouri Kerri S. Reisdorff, Missouri Nicholas Rostow, New York Thomas Sanchez, Washington, D.C. Col. Jock Scharfen, USMC, Ret., Virginia Darcy Frick Stewart, Kansas Jason Thomas, Georgia

Other: ______

David Eisenhower, Chair Emeritus, Pennsylvania

Name on Card Card Number

Security Code

Expiration Date

THE GOVERNOR OF KANSAS Laura Kelly, Honorary Chair

Signature

PO Box 295 200 SE 4th Street Abilene, Kansas 67410 www.eisenhowerfoundation.net

PERMIT NO. 23

PAID NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE