Episode 2 - Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller
In the second episode, Nick Mueller discusses his longstanding friendship and professional relationship with Günter Bischof, the founding phases of the Center Austria and the US National World War Two Museum, as well as its establishment as a national institution and the significance of history for society and life.
Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, former historian and Vice Chancellor at the University of New Orleans, served as Founding President and CEO of the National WWII Museum. During a distinguished career at UNO, Mueller made his mark as a popular teacher, dean, and administrator. He played a lead role in creating the Metropolitan College and in developing new extension and distance learning programs, the university Conference Center, and the UNO Research and Technology Park. Mueller was instrumental in creating the partnership between the University of New Orleans and the University of Innsbruck by establishing the International Summer School in Innsbruck in 1976. In 1997, he served as the founding director of Center Austria.
Dr. Mueller’s new role as President and CEO Emeritus affords him time for research and writing. The historian recently completed work on a new collection of personal accounts from the Allied invasion of Normandy. Published by Carlton Books and distributed by Sterling Publishing, "Everything We Have": D-Day 6.6.44, draws on the Museum's collection of oral histories and artifacts, and marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019. He has nearly finished a history of the museum.
Mueller continues to lead overseas WWII tours and speaks widely on the war experience, the American Spirit, and nonprofit leadership. He also provides advice and support to the Museum’s top executives, working closely with the distinguished Presidential Counselors advisory group, and assisting learning initiatives led by the new Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.
In this interview, Mueller talks about his relationship with Bischof, the behind-the-scenes history of the National World War II Museum, and the history of the partnership between the University of New Orleans and the University of Innsbruck.