Dwight David 'Ike' Eisenhower ( EYE-zən-how-ər; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969),  GCB,  OM was an American army general and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. After the war, he served as Army Chief of Staff (1945–1948), as president of Columbia University (1948–1953) and as the first Supreme Commander of NATO (1951–1952). Dwight David Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas, the third of seven sons. His mother originally named him David Dwight but reversed the two names after his birth to avoid the confusion of having two Davids in the family. While speaking of himself in 1948, Eisenhower said he was 'one of the most deeply religious men I know' though unattached to any 'sect or organization'. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in 1953.Eisenhower attended Abilene High School and graduated with the class of 1909.