Presidents' Day Luncheon

Monday, February 15, 2027
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

Frank Lavin

Every presidency leaves behind lessons in leadership, but few offer as clear a window into the daily decisions of power as a firsthand account from inside the room. Join us for our annual Presidents' Day Luncheon featuring Frank Lavin, who will draw on his new book, Inside the Reagan White House, for a conversation about presidential leadership and the qualities that separate great leaders from the rest. Lavin will share stories and insights from his time working within the Reagan administration, offering a rare, close-up perspective on how leadership actually functions at the highest level of government.

The conversation will also explore the timeless lessons great leaders leave behind, and how those lessons apply well beyond the presidency. A complimentary lunch will be provided for all attendees.

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

About the Speaker

Diplomat, author, and international business advisor Frank Lavin is active in U.S.-Asia policy, U.S. domestic politics, and trade policy matters. He served as a Fellow at the University of Southern California and previously as a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. In government, Lavin served as Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce and as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, where he helped negotiate the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

Additionally, he served in the Bush (41) and Reagan Administrations, working in the Department of Commerce, Department of State, National Security Council, and White House. In the Reagan Administration, Lavin served as White House Political Director.

Lavin is the author of Inside the Reagan White House, The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce, co-author of Export Now, and author of Home Front to Battlefront, a World War II history book. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and has participated in two humanitarian missions to Ukraine. He formerly served as a Lt Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Program Schedule

11:30 a.m. Doors Open & Check-In Available
12:00 p.m. Buffet Lunch & Welcome
12:20 p.m. Program Begins (Livestream Begins)
1:30 p.m. Program Concludes & Book Sales Begin

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.
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