President Barack Obama, from left, former president George W. Bush, former president Bill Clinton, former President George H.W. Bush and former president Jimmy Carter attend the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Thursday in Dallas.

The five men who have held the title of president gathered to celebrate the dedication at Southern Methodist University in a rare reunion that focused on praising his achievements and made only passing reference to the controversies that divided the country during his administration.

Although Obama largely campaigned against Bush’s moves as president, especially the invasion of Iraq, he had only good things to say Thursday. Iraq went unmentioned.

“To know the man is to like the man because he’s comfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t put on any pretenses,” Obama said of Bush.

Bush, 66, who has largely avoided commenting on the work of his successor, praised Obama in return, thanking him “for your kind words and for leading this country well.”