Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller is President and CEO Emeritus of The National World War II Museum. Dr. Mueller assisted historian Stephen Ambrose in founding the institution, initially known as The National D-Day Museum; he led the organization as Chairman of the Board from 1998 through its fundraising and construction to the Grand Opening on June 6, 2000. His appointment as full-time President and CEO in 2000 allowed him to shape the Museum’s exhibits and educational programs focused on the American experience in World War II. He played a lead role in raising the funds and international prominence for the Museum as it expanded to seven pavilions across three city blocks in downtown New Orleans.
Since transitioning his role as President and CEO Emeritus in 2017, Mueller has published three books: Everything We Have: 6-6-’44, Building The National WWII Museum, and most recently, Preserving the Legacy: Creating The National WWII Museum.
Before shifting into his career in the museum world, Dr. Mueller enjoyed a 33-year career as a Professor of European History at the University of New Orleans. During his tenure, he served as Dean, Vice Chancellor, and founding President of the Research and Technology Park. The university recognizes Dr. Mueller as the founder of UNO’s Metropolitan College and the university’s International Study Programs in Innsbruck, Austria; the program has sent over 10,000 students to Austria and to ten other countries for study-abroad coursework since 1973. He also served in leadership positions with national higher education associations, including the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, President of the National University Continuing Education Association, and is a member of its Hall of Fame.
Dr. Mueller earned his bachelor’s degree at Stetson University, an MA and PhD at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and has done postgraduate work at Yale, Harvard, and semesters at Universities of Vienna and Zurich. He is a recipient of the Legion of Honor from the Republic of France, the Grand Cross of Honor from the Republic of Austria and was awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees from Stetson University and the University of New Orleans.
