Historian, author and former UIndy professor lectured on public policy
David L. Anderson, former University of Indianapolis professor and historian, spoke about war as part the third annual Jerry and Carol Lecture on Public Policy on April 8 in Ransburg Auditorium.
By Mandy Weber | Staff Writer
David L. Anderson, a well-known historian who taught at the University of Indianapolis for more than 20 years, gave a lecture on April 8 about the similarities and contrasts between Vietnam and the present day war in Iraq. The event took place as part of the third annual Jerry and Carol Israel Lecture on Public Policy.
Anderson served in Vietnam as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and now is the Dean of the College of Undergraduate Programs at California State University, Monterey Bay. His lecture was entitled, “The Past and Public Policy: The Use and Abuse of History in American Foreign Policy.”
James Crahan, an international relations graduate student, found significance in Anderson’s presentation.
“His lecture was very enjoyable and informative,” Crahan said. “And it is important to shed light on historical structure and also important not to abuse history in making policy goals.”
Anderson explained that policy makers abuse the history of the Vietnam War by not learning a lesson from it. He said that America’s failure in Vietnam did not stop it from using war against Iraq.
“We try to make the past speak to the present in a meaningful way,” Anderson said.
William Fife, graduate student in international relations, explained how history is diminishing by being overlooked at elementary, middle school and high school levels.
“It’s unbelievable how schools are phasing out history. History is such an important thing. You need to learn what happens so it doesn’t repeat itself,” Fife said. “History needs to be taught because history has a way of repeating itself.”
One of Anderson’s best known books written in 2005, The Vietnam War, gives not only a historical overview, but teaches and analyzes the Vietnam War. He also wrote Facing My Lai: Moving Beyond the Massacre in 1998 and Shadow on the White House: Presidents and the Vietnam War in 1993.
Sophomore Nick Betzner said that he was glad Anderson’s speech was a part of the lecture series.
“Dr. Anderson did a great job summing up the post-Vietnam ideology and its long lasting effect on American society,” Betzner said.
The Israel Lecture in Public Policy was established to recognize the contributions to education made by the former university president and his wife. Jerry Israel was a history professor and administrator at several colleges before taking over leadership of UIndy from 1998 to 2005. Carol Israel is a public school teacher, and an administrator and education consultant.
Daniel Briere, dean of the college of arts and sciences, said Anderson’s lecture was successful.
“Dr. Anderson and I have known one another for 25 years. For the last five years, he has been at California State University, Monterey Bay. This was the first time I’ve seen David give a lecture,” Briere said.” I was impressed by the details of his lecture and by the value that he placed on the role of history in life.”
Anderson’s lecture lasted about an hour and half.
“History does not give the answers. It does provide a process,” Anderson said. “History teaches policy makers and all of us to take evidence seriously. Like life itself, history teaches hard lessons about hard choices.”
