The conference has evolved since its founding in 1975, now attracting faculty, graduate students, public historians, and independent scholars from across the country. The goals of the conference are still: To gather historians to present and discuss their research; to bridge the divide between universities and the public; and to cultivate interdisciplinary work.
This year's theme is "World History in the 21st Century." There will be a series of panels on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Each day will have a keynote speaker. Dr. David Christian, an award-winning and internationally recognized scholar on world history will speak on Friday, October 28, at 7 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. His topic is "What's the Use of Big History?" At noon on Saturday, October 29, in the Eberhard Center, Dr. Jerry Bentley will speak on "What is World History Now?" Bentley is a renowned scholar from the University of Hawaii and head of the World History Association.
For a complete conference schedule and registration form, see www.gvsu.edu/history. Conference registration is required. Admission for the general public is $20 for the 2-day event, which includes lunch on Saturday. As in past years the conference is free to GVSU students, staff, and faculty. There is a 25% discount for members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society and the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council. To register call Shelby Hughes at (616) 331-3298.
For more information contact event co-chairs from GVSU's Department of History: Jason Crouthamel at (616) 331-2931, or Craig Benjamin at (616) 331-3469.
