10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Uniquely Michigan with Dianna Stempfler

Michigan is home to countless “one of a kind” treasures – from the famed Mackinac Bridge to the internationally-recognized Scottville Clown Band and the uniqueness of the Petoskey Stone to the quaint Earl Young Homes in Charlevoix. Attractions – such as the Bottle House Museum in Kaleva, the Mystery Spot in Saint Ignace and the replica of the Eifel Tower in Paris – make for great adventures when traveling the Great Lakes State. Settle in for a virtual tour of some of Michigan’s noted, as well as many of its lesser known, sites worth visiting on your next road trip.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Rosie the Riveter with Claire Kitchin Dahl

Claire Kitchin Dahl highlights the boldness, determination, creativity and bravery of American men AND women as they prepared for, and then valiantly fought, World War II. Spurred on by the message of Franklin Roosevelt’s “Arsenal of Democracy” speech, she will share the incredible history of the Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant and the teamwork of the powerful Detroit automotive industry. We will all cheer for the dramatic and vital roles played by women as they showed the nation that they were willing and able to fill the work force gaps caused by men going into military service. “We Can Do It’ became the rallying cry for millions of women who had, until this time period, never envisioned working on an industrial assembly line building the weapons of war. As a Tribute Rosie, Claire honors the women who are called “Original Rosies” because they worked “the line” during WWII. Under the auspices of the Veteran’s History Project, their memories are being preserved because they are, indeed, veterans of the Home Front and their personal stories add depth and detail to our national narrative. You will be amazed, energized and inspired by this chapter of American History.

→  These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Goodbye Stories with Ric Mixter

Bottled messages have washed ashore for centuries, containing invitations for pen-pals, tragic calls for help and floating farewells from long lost souls. Ric shares the most famous messages ever recovered, including three from Titanic and several from the Great Lakes' worst storm in 1913

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM -  The Science of Alzheimer's with Irving Vega

→  These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - The Supreme Court with Devin Schindler

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - The Climate and Your Health with Steven Ashmead

The world has just experienced the warmest year in recorded history. What are the health risks of living in a warmer world? We are dependent on the burning of coal and petroleum products to provide energy necessary to power our civilization. What are the health problems associated with the continued burning of fossil fuels in our homes and communities? The Great Lakes region has experienced some of the most significant climate changes. How will it affect life in our Great Lakes region? Can we and our health systems adapt to rising temperatures. The answers to these questions and more as Dr. Steven Ashmead discuss how to be climate smart for your health.

→  These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Copper Peak/Stormy Kromer with Bob Jaquart

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - The History of Big Red with Valerie van Heest

The Holland Harbor Lighthouse, known affectionately as “BIG RED,” is one of the Great Lakes most photographed lighthouses, yet its history is very misunderstood.  Holland’s navigational aid was not always BIG, not always RED, and was not always even a lighthouse. Holland maritime historian Valerie van Heest will share the fascinating and complex history of this structure, now one of the only inaccessible lighthouses in Michigan.

→  These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies with Megan Rydecki

John Ball Zoo: The Past, The Present, The Future  with Peter D'Arienzo

How President Bill Clinton's Campaigns Reshaped Modern Presidential Politics with Jay Barth

Learning Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Experiential Education with Jennifer Drake

One Year in the Hot Seat: Leadership Reflections from Grand Rapids Fire Chief with Brad Brown

Housing Next: Grand Rapids Housing Update with Brooke Oosterman

America's Indispensable Man: Gerald Ford with Gleaves Whitney

Elections: The Process, Integrity, and Security with Michael Sullivan

Technology and AI with Milos Topic

Michigan POW Camps in WWII  with Gregory Sumner

The U.S. Supreme Court: The Changing Legacy of the "Least Dangerous Branch" with Devin Schindler

Real Cop: A Memoir of a Career Street Officer  with David Leonard

On Sacred Ground – A Pre-European an Early Grand Rapids History with Dan VanMeurs

Grand Action 2.0 with Kara Wood

Euphoria - GVSU Student a cappella group

Beckering Family Carillon Tower Presentation/Performance with Julianne Vanden Wyngaard

The State of Policing in Grand Rapids with Chief Eric Winstrom

West Michigan’s Economy after COVID and Beyond with Dr. Paul Isely

Comrade King  withJeffrey Kelly Lowenstein and Khulu Radebe

Fatal Crossing: The Mysterious Disappearance of Northwest Flight 2501 in Lake Michigan with Valerie van Heest

The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion with Carol Dodge         

Grand Valley State University Update with President Philomena V. Mantella

The Reclaiming of Muskegon Lake with Dr. Alan Steinman

Wisdom of Animals: A Nature-led Journey into the Heart of Transformational Leadership with Dr. Patrick Bishop

Chinese Thought with Peimin Ni

The Holocaust and the Impact on Grand Rapids with Robert Franciosi

Protecting Trees from Invasive Species with Lawrence Burns and Alexandra Locher

Critical Race Theory Part 1 with Fred Johnson 

The NCAA and GVSU Athletics: Today and Into the Future  with Keri Becker

Critical Race Theory Part 2 with Fred Johnson

State of Grand Rapids with Mayor Bliss

Islamophobia with Coeli Fitzpatrick

Locally Grown Food and the Grand Valley Farm with Michael Hinkle, GVSU Farm Manager and Educator

Dutch Art History with Henry Luttikhuizen

Frances Perkins and the Women Behind the New Deal with GVSU Professor Dr. Judy Whipps

The Grand Haven Bank Robbery with Judge David Buter

The State of the University with GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella joined by Fatma Mili, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Senior Leadership Team Panel including:
Laura Aikens, Vice President for University Development
Stacie Behler, Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer
Jesse Bernal, Chief of Staff to the President & Vice President for Inclusion and Equity
Jenny Hall- Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs
Milos Topic, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer

Cryptocurrency with Aaron Sundman, Digital Specialist, Amway

Mathias Alten Artwork Tour in the George and Barbara Gordon Gallery with Henry Matthews, Former Director of Galleries and Collections, GVSU