Gordon State College Welcomes Franklin Roosevelt's Great-Grandson as Keynote Speaker for its 11th Annual FDR Lecture Series
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Earlier in April, Gordon State College hosted its 11th Annual FDR Lecture Series event at the Barnesville campus with special guest speaker, Haven Roosevelt Luke, the great-grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Luke’s lecture, titled “The FDR Legacy: Then and Now,” focused on the enduring impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency and the New Deal on American history. He explored the relevance of FDR's legacy in contemporary American life and its implications for the future.
“It is truly gratifying for me to witness the enduring legacy of FDR, and I am deeply honored to be present here [at GSC], representing my family,” Luke said.
Due to Luke's mother's close ties with Eleanor Roosevelt, he reflects on Eleanor's global influence as much as Franklin D. Roosevelt's. While personally acknowledging FDR's “greatness” as a president, Luke regards Eleanor as “equally remarkable” in her own right. He admires the clarity of “her moral vision,” considering it remarkable given the era and her social background. Luke believes Eleanor's historical recognition regarding her role during FDR's administration is insufficient.
“My sense of being a Roosevelt is more aligned with Eleanor rather than FDR. While recognizing FDR's significance as a historical figure, my interest in him parallels that of others,” Luke said. “Eleanor holds a more personal significance for me. She is a vivid presence, shaped by her connection to my mother and her unwavering advocacy for human rights, instilled in us from childhood. When I contemplate the Roosevelt legacy, I see it as our family's commitment to advancing equality, liberty, and human rights on a global scale.”
Before the conclusion of the FDR Lecture Series event, Luke presented a scholarship award to Sam Withers, a history major at GSC from Lamar County. The scholarship, donated by Daniel White, a member of the GSC Board of Trustees, aims to honor the memory of FDR, his values, and commemorate FDR’s speech at Gordon on Aug. 11, 1938.