Two West Virginia University professors are available to comment on the legacy of former President Gerald Ford, who died Tuesday (Dec. 26). Ford was 93.

Neil Berch and Joe Hagan, who teach in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Political Science, can provide analysis of his presidency.

Ford became the nations 38th president (197477) after Richard Nixon resigned. Ford, who later pardoned Nixon, was the only president neither elected to the office nor the vice presidency. Fords administration saw the withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam, the execution of the Helsinki Accords and the continuing specter of inflation and recession.

Berch has extensive knowledge of domestic politics, economic policy and economic models of politics. His publications include articles on women candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, tax progressivity in the states and the effects of challenger spending in U.S. House elections.

Berch can be reached at neil.berch@mail.wvu.edu or 412-341-8033 during the holidays. After the holidays, he can be reached at his office, 304-293-3811 ext. 5290.

Hagan is an expert in foreign policy and international relations. He teaches classes on the politics of war and peace and comparative foreign policy analysis. Hagan is the chair of WVU s Political Science Department and serves as the director of the International Studies Program.

His research examines the domestic political sources of foreign policy as they relate to war, peace and change in international politics. He is the author ofPolitical Opposition and Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective,co-editor ofForeign Policy Restructuring: How Governments Respond to Global ChangeandLeaders, Groups and Coalitions: Understanding the People and Processes in Foreign Policy.

Hagan can be reached at joe.hagan@mail.wvu.edu or 304-599-2043 during the holidays. After the holidays, he can be reached at his office 304-293-3811 ext. 5283.