MISSION AND HISTORY
When the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations welcomed its initial class of students in the fall of 1998, it became the first professional school of international affairs to be established since the end of the cold war. The School’s namesake, John C. Whitehead, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, co-chairman of Goldman Sachs and chairman of the United Nations Association of the USA, paved the way for an exclusive partnership between Seton Hall and the UNA-USA that has carved out a unique place for the School within the realm of international affairs education. A statesman, war hero, business leader, and philanthropist, Mr. Whitehead is a model for our students, having demonstrated the highest standards of citizenship through a distinguished career of leadership. His life of service also inspires the School to uphold its guiding mission – preparing the next generation of global leaders.
John Whitehead has reminded us that in our dynamic, increasingly interdependent and rapidly changing world,
"it is imperative to learn about, respect, and truly understand the issues that drive our global community."
To meet that challenge, we strive to provide our students with a world-class education that will lead them to successful careers and to make a difference in the world. We combine innovative academic study with hands-on opportunities for practicing diplomacy. We connect our students with prominent practitioners in the field of international affairs from whom they can gain valuable insights. We promote discussion on today’s most pressing issues in the hope of finding new avenues for building peace.
The Whitehead School of Diplomacy offers students
many distinct advantages, from its ideal location to
its close-knit, multicultural community. Our student
body – over 600 strong – represents every region of the U.S. and nearly
40 countries around the globe. Our students share a commitment to outstanding scholarly performance. With a growing network of alumni working in the field of international affairs, the School is strengthening international organizations, government agencies, and businesses by contributing well-prepared and talented diplomatic professionals.
The Whitehead School embraces Seton Hall’s longstanding tradition of a values-based education. Among the oldest Catholic universities in the United States, Seton Hall enrolls 10,000 students of all races and religions. The University is home to eight schools offering nearly 200 graduate and undergraduate degree programs.
John C. Whitehead
Born in Evanston, Illinois, John C. Whitehead moved with his family to New Jersey
in 1924. He grew up in Montclair, and is a 1939 graduate of Montclair High School.
After graduating from Haverford College in 1943 with a degree in economics, Mr.
Whitehead served in the U.S. Navy, participating in the invasions of Normandy, Iwo
Jima and Okinawa during World War II. He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from
Harvard Business School in 1947.
Mr. Whitehead began his professional career at Goldman, Sachs & Company as a
junior statistician. He stayed with the company for 38 years, becoming a partner in
1956 and senior partner and co-chairman in 1976.
During his tenure, Goldman Sachs became one of the world's preeminent banking
and brokerage firms. Mr. Whitehead retired in 1984 and served as a director of the
New York Stock Exchange and chairman of the Securities Industry Association.
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan appointed Mr. Whitehead Deputy Secretary of State under George Schultz. During his four-year tenure, he was instrumental in major diplomatic initiatives, including NATO expansion into Central and Eastern Europe. Upon leaving office, Reagan presented him with the Presidential Citizen's Medal.
A dedicated philanthropist, Mr. Whitehead is active in many educational, civic and charitable organizations. He has served as chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the International Rescue Committee, the Asia Society, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Harvard Board of Overseers and the Haverford College Board of Managers. He also is a former president of the International Rescue Committee and has traveled the world for the cause of political refugees.
Mr. Whitehead was honored by The Aspen Institute with the Institute's 2002 Corporate Leadership Award. The Institute lauded him for "developing a socially responsible private sector, building a well managed nonprofit world and championing a multilateral approach to resolving the world's most pressing problems," as well as "helping to redefine the private sector of the 21st century."
Mr. Whitehead is the former chairman of AEA Investors Inc., a private investment firm.
He also served as chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, appointed by New York Governor George Pataki in November 2001, Mr. Whitehead presided over the largest and most challenging rebuilding project in Manhattan's history.
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