Gardner was a teacher all of his life, both in formal and informal settings. Challenging his students to realize their greatest potential to make America and the world a better place for all, he also was widely known as an extraordinary mentor to scores of students, young professionals and even peers. As noted in Stanford Report (2002), “He lived the values he espoused, listened to those he wanted to reach, and affirmed their possibilities.”

Between the John Gardner Fellows, the White House Fellows, and his time in Silicon Valley, Gardner mentored hundreds of individuals in a variety of ways. Many of these individuals participated in the John Gardner Legacy Oral History Project between 2017 and 2020, sharing their memories of Gardner and the impact he had on their lives and careers.

Select an image from below to access a sample of the full interviews from the project.

John Gardner and Stanford fellowship administrator Jeanne Wahl Halleck (front row, far left) with many of the John Gardner Fellows in 1995, ten years after the fellowship was founded. Dr. Linda Clever, fellowship supporter, is at far right, third row. Photo courtesy of David Moguel.