Introduction
Vice President Walter Mondale (’56) (1928-2021) left an indelible legacy during an extraordinary career of public service. As Minnesota's attorney general, from 1960 to 1964, Mondale promoted civil rights and prioritized the protection of society's most vulnerable. In the United States Senate, between 1964 and 1976, Mondale’s legislative efforts aided the transformation of the Democratic party. As Jimmy Carter’s vice president, from 1977 to 1980, Mondale reshaped the office and was integral to the administration's foreign and domestic policies, as perhaps no other vice president had been before him. An eloquent and compassionate voice in public affairs, Mondale’s enduring achievements stand as a testament to his democratic ideals.
This exhibit provides an overview of Vice President Mondale’s career, from his formative years in Minnesota to his contributions as a global statesman. It also touches on his relationship with the Law School whose building bears his name. For more than sixty years, Walter Mondale’s deep commitment to the University of Minnesota Law School added another bright flame to his legacy. In 2001, the Law School building was rededicated in the Vice President’s honor.
For the creation of this digital exhibit, the Riesenfeld Center gratefully acknowledges the support of University of Minnesota Law School Dean Garry W. Jenkins and Associate Dean Joan S. Howland. The digital exhibit is curated by Ryan Greenwood and Patrick Graybill.