Mathews was born and grew up in Grove Hill, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama and Columbia University. Mathews was president of the University of Alabama 1969–75, 1977–1980, an era of significant change and innovation. At age 33, Mathews was the university's youngest president. He presided over the integration of the university's football program under Hall of Fame coach Bear Bryant in 1971. The Anniston Star reported that his 1980 resignation as president of University of Alabama president followed a vote that showed little faculty support for him.
Political life
Mathews is one of only two surviving secretaries of the now defunct Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. While at HEW, he worked on restoring public confidence in government and reforming the regulatory system. At his swearing in as secretary of HEW, Gerald Ford said, “Mathews brings to this new mission the strength of youth, a sense of purpose, the skills of a scholar, and the trusted record of a successful leader and administrator. That is an impressive inventory by any standard.”
Later life
Mathews currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Kettering Foundation, a not-for-profit research foundation rooted in the American tradition of invention. Charles F. Kettering, best known for inventing the automobile self-starter, created the foundation in 1927. Gradually, the foundation expanded its focus to look beyond scientific solutions, recognizing that problems like world hunger are not technical problems, but rather political problems. In the 1970s, the foundation began to concentrate on democratic politics, particularly the role of citizens. Mathews was elected to the Kettering Foundation board of trustees in 1972, and in 1981, he became its president and CEO. File:President Ford discusses the swine flu influenza - NARA - 7064712.jpg|left|thumb|upright|F. David Mathews in a meeting with President Ford to discuss a Federal initiative to immunize all Americans against the swine flu influenza. ; in the Cabinet room on March 24, 1976.
He was inducted into the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2007, the Alabama Center for Civic Life was renamed in his honor as the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. He is the recipient of 16 honorary degrees.
Publications
Mathews has written extensively on such subjects as education, political theory, southern history, public policy, and international problem solving. His books include Why Public Schools? Whose Public Schools? ; For Communities to Work ; Politics for People: Finding a Responsible Public Voice ; and Is There a Public for Public Schools?. His most recent book, Reclaiming Public Education by Reclaiming Our Democracy, focuses on the relationship between the public and public education.
