Distinguished alumnus to speak on leadership for the 21st century

Banking executive James Bailey, a BGSU graduate, will deliver the first College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni Lecture on Thursday (April 1).

Bailey will present “A Call for 21st Century Leadership” at 4 p.m. in 308 Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Drawing on his wide reading in U.S. history and his experiences as a leader of complex business organizations, Bailey will discuss the qualities possessed by the greatest leaders of history and suggest how they provide valuable lessons for leaders in the 21st century.

“Given widespread concern about leadership in contemporary business, government and the professions, and higher education’s responsibility to educate tomorrow’s leaders, Mr. Bailey’s topic is a timely one,” notes Don Nieman, dean of arts and sciences.

Bailey received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from BGSU in 1967 and his master’s degree in mathematics from New York University in 1970. He enjoyed a 28-year career at Citibank, where he managed its North American Consumer Bank and Credit Card business. During his distinguished career with Citibank, he led organizations of as many as 25,000 individuals with offices in 100 countries.

Shortly after retiring as Citibank’s executive vice president in 2000, he joined U.S. Trust’s Product Management Group as executive vice president. He is also active in service to his profession and the community, having served on the VISA Board of Directors (1990-94) and the board of directors of the Depository Trust Corp. (1995-97).

Currently, he is a member of the board of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the advisory board of the College of Arts & Sciences at New York University, the board of visitors of the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and the Bowling Green State University Foundation Board.

The lecture and a reception that follows are free and open to the public.