Common Ground: The Separation of Church & State

Tuesday, January 26, 2027
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

Church & State Event Promotions

The Founders had strong, and often conflicting, beliefs about the proper relationship between religion and government, beliefs that still shape how Americans debate religious liberty today. Our panel will examine what the founders truly believed about religion and government, how much they actually agreed or disagreed, and how much weight that historical record should carry in how we interpret church-state separation today.

The conversation will also turn to contested church-state disputes in American law and public life, considering how the principles and virtues drawn from the Founders' traditions might guide our thinking on them. It's a chance to move past the slogans and get at what the Founders actually argued, and why it still matters.

This event is presented by the Hauenstein Center in partnership with the Acton Institute.

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

Featured Speakers

Dr. Katherine Carté, Professor of History, Southern Methodist University
Dr. Paul Cornish, Professor of Political Science, Grand Valley State University
Dr. John C. Pinheiro, Director of Research and Publications, Acton Institute
Megan Rydecki, Director, Hauenstein Center (Moderator)

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

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