The Academic President as Moral Leader

During James T. Laney’s term of service, Emory grew from a solid regional teaching institution into a major research university. By most salient measures—endowment, student enrollment, faculty size, and square footage—Emory’s growth was enormous.

This book examines how Laney accomplished the transformation of Emory. Particular attention is given to Laney’s commitment to Emory being a moral community concerned with advancing the common good. This detailed analysis provides insight into Emory’s maturation as a leading research university, into the moral leadership given by Laney, and into the development of higher education in this country.

By exploring the moral authority of Laney himself as well as his commitment to the ideal of institution as a moral community, Gulley provides an important resource for understanding the dynamics of moral leadership. By studying Laney’s experience, we can better understand the transformation of Emory University and higher education in the twentieth century. Laney’s example also points directions for colleges and schools should take in the twenty-first century.