Honoring Dr. T. Wayne Bailey

Stetson University honored T. Wayne Bailey, Ph.D., to mark his 50th year of teaching at the university. Bailey started teaching at Stetson in 1963 and since that time has taught nearly every political science course ever offered at Stetson. Bailey, who is one of the founders of Stetson’s Model U.S. Senate and the annual International Symposium, has served as director of the Washington Semester at American University program and he chaired and continues to serve on the Pre-Law Advisory Committee at Stetson.

As part of the celebration of Dr. Bailey, Stetson alumnus George C. Edwards III presented “Explaining Leadership in the Obama Presidency,” and this presentation is provided here. Edwards is University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Jordan Chair in Presidential Studies at Texas A&M University. 

Many of Bailey’s former students have gone on to serve in state legislature and congressional positions, including former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, a 1964 Stetson graduate, and at least three alumni currently serving in the Florida Legislature. Dr. Bailey is well known for volunteering his expertise for local, state and national groups. He has held various leadership positions in the Florida Democratic Party and was a Florida delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 1972 to 2012, attending 10 National Conventions. He has done extensive work with local government – cities and counties – upgrading their charters and reforming their governments.