Respecting a commitment to lifelong learning
Grand Forum is a member-based educational program for adults 55 years and older who are eager to both learn and engage with peers. Grand Forum provides an opportunity for members to meet in an academic setting for the purpose of intellectual stimulation and social exchange.
Members come from a variety of backgrounds and areas, and include GVSU alumni, staff, faculty, retirees and community members from all educational backgrounds. The diversity of the group leads to thought-provoking and challenging questions and discussion about timely topics.
The Grand Forum Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is funded from the Grand Forum Endowment and provides financial assistance to students whose college education was interrupted for one or more reasons and who wish to continue to pursue earning a college degree at Grand Valley State University.
Support Life-Long Learners!
Make a Lasting Impact
Your generous gift to the Grand Forum Endowed Scholarship will directly impact these determined life-long learners.
2026-27 Academic Year Program
Fall 2026 Series
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - 200 Years of Heritage: Celebration of Louis Campau with Carol Dodge
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of our founding father, Louis Campau, in November, 1826. He was a remarkable man - hear his story from fur trader, founder of the city of Saginaw, his travels to our area, his trading post and relationships with the natives, his purchase of the land that became our downtown business area, and the important part he played in the development of early Grand Rapids. It is an illustrated presentation, interesting and entertaining.
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Can AI and Humans Form Meaningful Relationships? with Michael DeWilde
Millions of humans across the world are forming "meaningful" relationships with AI platforms and AI-driven robotics. These relationships are characterized, variously, as intimate, romantic, friendly, and companionable. This AI-human relationship phenomenon is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Prof. DeWilde will comment on this development from economic, ethical, and psychological perspectives.
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Spring 2027 Series
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30AM - Check Back for Details
12:30 PM - 2:00PM - Check Back for Details
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the Richard M. DeVos Center at 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Speaker and Program Archive
Past Grand Forum programs are recorded and made available to all Grand Forum Members. Please reach out to Grand Forum ([email protected]) to receive the access link.
Fall 2025
An Economic Update with Paul Isley
Michigan's Historic Jails with Tobin Buhk
Russia v. Ukraine: Is Peace Possible? with Heather Tafel
Rise in Nationalism with Fred Johnson
The Greenway Project with Catherine Zieste & Aaron Bodbyl-Mast
Paws With A Cause with Ashley Diersch
Mary Free Bed with Kent Riddle
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare with Alexis Kurek
Spring 2026
A Grand Valley State University Update with President Philomena Mantella and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Laura Aikens
The Art of Representation: Nurturing Artist Partnerships with Kate Meyer
The Red Flags of Fraud with Troy Baker
Human Trafficking in West Michigan with Amanda Colgrove, Becky Diffin, and Kailey Gilbert
Al Amana Centre - A Sacred Trust - Oman and Beyond with Justin Meyers
Music for Health with Jennifer Obnique and Jo Preece
The Hidden Creek: The Secret Life of Silver Creek with Gail Gunst Heffner and Andrea Lubberts
Humor from the Bench with Sara Smolenski
Fall 2024
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
Spring 2025
Uniquely Michigan with Dianna Stampfler
Rosie the Riveter with Claire Kitchin Dahl
Goodbye Stories with Ric Mixter
The Science of Alzheimer's with Irving Vega
The Supreme Court with Devin Schindler
The Climate and Your Health with Steven Ashmead
Copper Peak/Stormy Kromer with Bob Jaquart
The History of Big Red with Valerie van Heest
Fall 2023
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
Spring 2024
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
Fall 2022
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
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
Spring 2023
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
Additional Opportunities
Check out these other opportunities to engage in lifelong learning at Hauenstein Center events or with our campus partners!
When the Declaration of Independence Was News
The Hauenstein Center will host historian Emily Sneff as she explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world and shares stories of the many people involved in the process of declaring independence.
Eyeing the Bench: A Supreme Court Update
What’s ahead for the Supreme Court? The Hauenstein Center hosts an expert panel of Supreme Court journalists to discuss the upcoming Supreme Court term.
Open Minds Book Club: When the Declaration of Independence Was News
The Open Minds Book Club Invites thoughtful conversation on books that seek to understand and serve the needs of our democratic society.
Hope Through History: How to Survive Turbulent Times with Jon Meacham
The Hauenstein Center is proud to partner with the Economic Club of Grand Rapids to host award-winning historian Jon Meacham.
Midterms 101: Historical Patterns and Contemporary Stakes
The Hauenstein Center will convene an expert panel to discuss midterm elections in modern American history, exploring what patterns have emerged across decades, what they reveal about presidential power and public opinion.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GRAND FORUM