Welcome

Welcome to the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University.

What do we do? We work to advance knowledge and build community in three key areas:

We are a PRESIDENTIAL STUDIES CENTER. Our director, Gleaves Whitney, is a presidential scholar and author who is regularly consulted by national media. Our special collection of works authored by American presidents has been called “a uniquely valuable resource” by the Library of Congress.  Read more about the Presidential Studies Center.

We focus on LEADERSHIP in keeping with the vision of our founder and benefactor, COL Ralph W. Hauenstein. Our primary mission is to foster ethical, effective leadership for the 21^st century, and our Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy is at the core of that charge. Read more about Leadership.

We strive to prepare a new generation of leaders to deal effectively with diverse ideas and cultures through our COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE, a program unique in higher education. You can read more about our guest speakers, conferences, and other events, all free and open to the public.