John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

Thursday, April 22, 2027
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

Lindsay Chervinsky

The second president of the United States inherited an office with no real playbook and a nation already pulling in different directions, making his choices about how to lead all the more consequential. Join us for a conversation with historian Lindsay Chervinsky, who will tell the story of John Adams' turbulent term as the second U.S. president. Chervinsky will explore how Adams navigated a divided nation and an untested office, and the precedents he established that helped keep American democracy stable for generations to come.

The conversation will also examine what Adams' presidency reveals about the fragility, and resilience, of the American system in its earliest years, and what that history offers us today.

Registration for the Hauenstein Center's 2027 events will open on December 1st, 2026.

About the Speaker

Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky is a historian of the presidency, political culture, and the government. She is the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library. Her research can be found in publications from op-eds to books, speaking on podcasts and other media, and teaching for every kind of audience.

Dr. Chervinsky’s book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, was published on April 7, 2020 (paperback February 2022). She also co-edited Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture (February 20, 2023). She is a regular guest on podcasts and appears frequently on Listening to America podcast. She is the creator of the Audible course: The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History. Her newest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents that Forged the Republic, was published on September 5, 2024.

She regularly writes for public audiences in the Wall Street Journal, The Bulwark, Time Magazine, USA Today, CNN, and the Washington Post.

Program Schedule

5:00 p.m. Members Only Reception Begins
5:30 p.m. Doors Open & Check-In Available
6:00 p.m. Program Begins
7:30 p.m. Program Concludes & Book Sale,Signing & Dessert Reception Begins
8:00 p.m. Book Sale, Signing & Dessert Reception Concludes

Know Before You Go

All are welcome! We invite students, faculty, staff, and community to attend.
Admission is free, but registration is required. Please check in when you arrive.
We offer a free Community Conversations dessert reception following the program to reflect and chat about what you heard.
In-person attendance is encouraged. However, to ensure our events are accessible to all, we offer a virtual option.
This event takes place on GVSU's City Campus in downtown GR. Free parking is available with validation.

About the Hauenstein Center

Inspired by Ralph Hauenstein’s life of leadership and service, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is dedicated to raising a community of ethical, effective leaders for the twenty-first century.

Consider supporting our work by becoming a member. Members enjoy special benefits like pre-event receptions at events.

More About Membership