Capitalizing on the University's broad expertise and spirit of inquiry, the GVSU Quest Series is an Academic Affairs forum to reflect on timely issues. These events are intended to help us frame the questions, discover connections, and hopefully generate many subsequent conversations and inquiries.

Juneteenth Discussion
Understanding the Crises in Ukraine: History, Politics, and Culture
ChatGPT
The Türkiye-Syria Earthquake: Earth - Science - Human Collision

Save the Date!

Monday, June 19, 2023
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Loosemore Forum, L. William Seidman Center
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Additional information will be announced soon. 

Submit your attendance plans

The goal of Understanding the Crisis in Ukraine: History, Politics, and Culture is to inform and educate participants about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The history, culture, and relationships between the Ukrainian and Russian people will be explored and possible outcomes will be discussed.

Provost Mili will offer remarks and Professor John Weber will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Alexey Nikitin, Professor of Biology
• Lesley Slavitt, Executive Director, Johnson Center for Philanthropy
• James Smither, Professor of History
• Heather Tafel, Associate Professor of Political Science
• Miloš Topić, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer

In this inaugural event, the ChatGPT Panel will discuss the technology of ChatGPT; what it is, what it is not, what makes it possible, and what to expect in the future.

The ChatGPT Panel is a collaboration between the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Information Technology.

Panelists

Provost Mili will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Miloš Topić, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer
• Corey Anton, Professor of Communication Studies
• Patrick Johnson, Director, Meijer Center for Writing
• Laurence José, Associate Professor of Writing and Director, Digital Studies Minor
• Jared Moore, Associate Professor of Computing
• Ben Rapin, Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

The Türkiye-Syria Earthquake: Earth - Science - Human Collision will provide details on the science behind the earthquake in this particular area. In addition, regional history and political issues will be discussed as well as ways that participants can help with recovery efforts.

Provost Mili will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Feryal Alayont, Professor of Mathematics
• James Goode, Professor Emeritus of History
• John Weber, Professor of Geology