6C - Thursday, January 4, 2007

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

From the Big House
to the White House

July 14: Born to Leslie Lynch King and Dorothy Ayer King in Omaha, Neb.
Enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he joined Delta Kappa Epsilon and played center on two n
championship football teams.
Named mostvaluable player on the Michigan football team.
Graduated from the University with degrees in economics and political science.
Graduated from Yale Law School.
During Wold War II, served in the Navy aboard light aircraft carrier U.S.S. Mon-
terey in the Pacific. He survived a typhoon in December 1944.
Honorably discharged from the Navy. Ford was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Cam-
paign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the American Campaign Medal
and the World War II Victory Medal.

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Married Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer Warren of Grand Rapids in the thick of his first
campaign for Congress. They honeymooned briefly in Ann Arbor, attending the Michi-
gan-Northwestern football game before returning to the campaign trail.
Elected to Congress from Michigan's 5th District with 60.5 percent of the vote, launching the first
of Ford's 13 terms in the House.
Elected House Minority Leader.
Sworn in asvice president after Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace.
Inaugurated as 38th president of the United States after Richard M. Nixon's resignation. After taking
the oath of office, Ford famously said "Our long national nightmare is over."
Pardoned Nixon for any illicit acts he committed during his presidency, a decision that provoked widespread
outrage but has since gained respect
Lost his bid to retain the presidency to Jimmy Carter, a former governor of Georgia.
- Granted permission by the University Board of Regents to serve as an adjunct political science professor.
Attended the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the Gerald R. Ford Library on North Campus.
The University retired his number 48 football jersey during halftime of the Michigan State football game. His
jersey was only the fifth to be retired, and none have been retired since.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's most prestigious civilian award, by President Clinton.
- Received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award granted by Congress.
- Attended the ceremony at which the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy was officially christened.
Presented with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award by the University's Alumni Association.
- Died at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at the age of 93.
Timeline text by Brian Tengel
Photographs courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford President Library and The Associated Press

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