The Hauenstein Center is prepared to transition back to in-person events as soon as we are able to safely gather. In the meantime, check out our digital initiatives, including new interviews with guests such as H.W. Brands, Hank Meijer, and Paula Monopoli!

Events

Ari Weinzweig: The Power of Beliefs in Business

November 12, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Panel Event: America's "New Normal"

November 19, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Kasey Pipes: The Resurrection of Richard Nixon--Our Elder Statesman

December 10, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Bill Barker: Thomas Jefferson in honor of President's Day

February 18, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

David Eisenhower: Eisenhower, Hauenstein, and the men and women who saved civilization

March 18, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

H.W. Brands: The Zealot and the Emancipator

April 22, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

View More Events

Welcome

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

What do we do? We support Grand Valley students and their leadership development. 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.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. said of Justice Ginsburg: “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her -- a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”

Click here to listen to a short interview with Jeff Rosen, President and CEO of the Constitution Center and author of Conversations with RBG. In this interview, he speaks about Justice Ginsburg's impact on the US legal system.If you missed Jeff Rosen's presentation at the Hauenstein Center last year, it is available here.

Announcement Regarding Gleaves Whitney Departure

Director of Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies to take over new role on Sept. 1, 2020

It is with a sad heart, but one full of pride, that we announce the retirement of our director, Gleaves Whitney. After 17 years of building the Hauenstein Center into a nationally recognized presidential studies center, Gleaves has been chosen to fill the role of executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation (GRFPF), effective Sept. 1, 2020.

For more information please use the link provided here.

How the Hauenstein Center is Staying in Touch With You

Fall 2020 Scheduled Events

The Fall schedule of events is now available digitally! We are as eager as all of you are to resume the Hauenstein Center’s thought-provoking in person events. Though in these tumultuous times, in order to comply with the Governor’s executive orders, the CDC recommended guidelines, and Grand Valley’s current policies, our fall lineup will be offered digitally. The very first opportunity we have to go back to in person events, we will do so, so stay tuned!

Hauenstein Herald

View the latest edition of The Hauenstein Herald. Drawing inspiration from Ralph's time with the Grand Rapids Herald, we are pleased to present the Hauenstein Center's newsletter which will feature past events and lectures, current events at the center, and feature the Cook Leadership Academy fellows and Alumni.

Beyond Aporia

The Hauenstein Center has developed a first-rate podcast. Aporia is a Greek word that conveys the expression of skepticism and doubt. It leads to further and better questions around the toughest challenges we face. Click on the image for access to all Beyond Aporia episodes.

Wait a Minute!

Wait a Minute! The Hauenstein Center has a new shortform series. Join our previous director Gleaves Whitney as he reacts to current events, interesting topics, or anything that crosses his mind. View all previous Wait a Minute! videos here.

Lunch & Learn with Gleaves

As we stay home and stay safe, we are pleased to launch our new long form webinar interviews that will be broadcast live at 1 PM each Tuesday and Thursday. Lunch & Learn with Gleaves will be offered beginning March 31, 2020. Join Gleaves and a special guest from either the community or the Cook Leadership Academy for a brief video conversation that explores a provocative topic. Links to connect are available here.

Journeys with Gleaves

Journeys is a series of longform video-essays on a variety of engaging subjects: historical, literary, philosophical, religious, leadership, and governing. During the quarantine, we may not be able to journey much beyond our homes, but that should not stop us from journeying beyond our minds. Stay tuned on the Journeys page.