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Through His Eyes: Chuck Hagel and the American Presidency Exhibit Opens

This exhibit runs through August 24, 2025, on the first floor of Criss Library.

  • published: 2025/06/24
  • contact: Lori Schwartz - Archives and Special Collections

UNO alum Chuck Hagel served as the 24th Secretary of Defense during the Obama administration and earlier served Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. In these roles, he worked closely with Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. His presidential connections extend much further back, however. From his congressional staff role in the 1970s to presidential appointments in the 1980s to his close relationship in the Senate with future president Biden, Chuck Hagel has left his mark on the American Presidency for decades.

Through His Eyes is the latest exhibit from the U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Archives in Archives and Special Collections. This display shares artifacts, photos, and documents illustrating his service with all these presidents, from President Ford to President Biden. All items are part of the U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Archives. Chuck Hagel served as U.S. Senator from 1997 to 2009 and U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2013 to 2015. When he left the U.S. Senate, he donated his records to his alma mater, UNO. The exhibit was curated by Hagel and Technical Services Archivist Lori Schwartz and will be on view through August 24, 2025.

Records Available for Research  

 Hagel’s records are used for research, instruction, exhibits, and general interest. They cover legislative issues and topics of local, national and international prominence that arose from 1997 to 2009, including the Bill Clinton impeachment in 1998-1999, a contested presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic downtown of 2007-2009, and disaster and drought assistance for rural areas.

Visitors may use the Hagel Archives in Archives and Special Collections, Monday-Friday 9am – 4pm, and view selected material online. Given this collection’s size, we recommend users contact archivists in advance for help in selecting material. However, we welcome people to stop in, ask about, and use the records at any time. Information is available at U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Archives. 

About Criss Library

The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library fulfills the UNO mission through dynamic services, highly qualified and adaptive personnel, unique and extensive collections, and accessible learning spaces and environments. With its location on UNO’s Dodge Campus, Criss Library provides UNO students, faculty and staff, and the Omaha community with the resources and materials needed to excel academically and professionally.