Dr. Charles Levermore, the first president of Adelphi College (1896-1912), was active in many world peace organizations. He also assisted his former classmate and personal friend, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, in advancing the League of Nations. In 1924, out of 22,000 submissions, Dr. Levermore's own plan for international peace was selected as "the best practical plan by which the United States may co-operate with other nations to achieve and preserve the peace of the world." His idea was to develop to a compromise plan to have the United States join the League of Nations under a special status. This proposal won him the prestigious Bok Peace Prize.

Dr. Levermore promoted communication among different nations and cultures and believed that international study was essential for all scholars. The Levermore Global Scholars Program implements Dr. Levermore’s vision that educated students can become engaged global citizens who can effectively promote cultural understanding both locally and globally.