Presidential historian and professor visits Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is hosting a visit by H.W. Brands, an award-winning presidential historian and professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. He will visit Grand Rapids as a Hauenstein Center Scholar in Residence, from March 10-12.

"Bill is one of the best historians on the American presidency today, and he is consistently recognized as one of the nation's most engaging teachers," said Brian Flanagan, assistant director of the Hauenstein Center. "It's a great combination. He knows how to inform and entertain, which is why we always look forward to his visits. 'That Man in the White House' promises to be a very enlightening and engaging series of talks."

Brands' speaking schedule is as follows:

• Monday, March 10
10 a.m., DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Campus
“The Half-Step Rule” (Timing, Timing, Timing)

7:30 p.m., Gerald R. Ford Museum
“Loyal to a Fault” (Why Nice People Make Lousy Presidents)

• Tuesday, March 11
9 a.m., DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Campus
Sam Goldwyn’s Secret (Sincerity is Everything; Learn to Fake It and You’ll Go Far)

2:30 p.m., Cook-Dewitt Center, Allendale Campus
“They Don’t Vote in Montevideo” (All Foreign Policy is Local)

• Wednesday, March 12
10 a.m., DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Campus
“Leave Under a Cloud” (and the Sun is Sure to Shine)

7:30 p.m., DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Campus
“Dance with Them that Brung You” (Remember Who You Work For)

Brands joined the history faculty at Texas A&M University in 1987, where he taught for 17 years. In 2005, he joined the faculty of the University of Texas, where he is currently the Dickson Allen Anderson Centennial Professor of History.

Brands has written 20 books, coauthored or edited five others, and published dozens of articles and scores of reviews. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, International Herald Tribune and Boston Globe.

All speaking sessions are open to the public and require tickets, which are $10. For more information contact Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at (616) 331-2770, or visit www.allpresidents.org .