CIA Director Michael Hayden: A Student of History

Recently confirmed CIA director, Gen. Michael Hayden (USAF, Ret.) not only has intelligence credentials, having served as director of the National Security Agency (NSA) from March 1999-April 2005 and as Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence from May 2005-May 2006, but also possesses history credentials as well. Gen. Hayden graduated in 1969 from Duquesne University with a Master of Arts in History. He also received his Bachelors degree there as well as being a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program.

Hayden drove taxis to pay for college, which he remembers vividly. While in his MA program, Hayden studied modern American history. His thesis was entitled, “The United States and the Unity of Europe: 1945-1950,” which does not appear controversial. One of his professors at Duquesne was Dr. Steven Vardy, who teaches classes about Imperial Russia, The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, The Cold War, and New American Immigration among others.

Hayden came by a love of history early. Many of his teachers remember him, including George Sprys, who taught Hayden at North Catholic High School. Sprys says Hayden was involved in both the Model United Nations and the History Club. Sprys remembered that Hayden was a meticulous researcher: “He would probe deeply into the task that we were after. Whether it was world history or Pittsburgh history, and he had an understanding of what research was all about.” Hayden’s 10th grade World History teacher remembered Hayden as “one of the nicest kids I ever taught.”

The skills his high school teachers noticed helped him in his military career, which began in 1967 when he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. During his long career in the Air Force, Hayden worked at the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command and served as commandant of cadets for the St. Michael’s College ROTC program, and Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the National Security Council. He attended the Academic Instructor School, Defense Intelligence School, and Armed Forces Staff College. Hayden received many awards from the Air Force, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal among others. His thesis topic may have prepared him for an assignment as an air attaché at the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

Sources

Biography of General Michael V. Hayden found at http://www.af.mil/bios

Dennis B. Roddy. “CIA nominee called down-to-earth, proud of Pittsburgh heritage,”Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tue. May 09, 2006.

Profile of Steven Vardy found at http://www.liberalarts.duq.edu/

Library card catalog entry for Hayden’s master’s thesis found at http://ducat.library.duq.edu/