Haustein Center - WKTV Journal

By Nate Hoekstra

Patrick Deneen associate professor of constitutional studies at Notre Dame and author of “*Why Liberalism Failed”*

Americans’ political positions are bitterly divided, driven apart by identity politics, partisan news coverage and algorithm-driven social media echo chambers. Meaningful, well-reasoned political discussion can be hard to find in this political climate.

With that difficulty in mind, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University will provide substantive conversations about history, political thought and policy without the partisan rhetoric at its annual Progressive/Conservative Summit on April 13-14.

The two-day event will cover a wide variety of topics presented by authors, journalists and academics from various fields. Topics will range from the culture wars and identity liberalism to teaching empathy in a post-truth, pro-feelings age.

Presenters will include Mark Lilla, a contributor to the New York Review of Books and humanities professor at Columbia University; Patrick Deneen, associate professor of constitutional studies at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed; and Molly Worthen, op-ed columnist at the New York Times and assistant professor of history at UNC-Chapel Hill; and many others.

Progressive/Conservative Summit 2018

April 13, 6 – 8:15 p.m. and April 14, 8:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Loosemore Auditorium, GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus

401 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested at gvsu.edu/hc

Molly Worthen, op-ed columnist at the New York Times and assistant professor of history at UNC-Chapel Hill

“The big aim of the program is to share knowledge with the hope of improving understanding, not necessarily finding one side that can ‘beat’ the other. We want to help people explore a variety of viewpoints,” said Scott St. Louis, program manager at the Hauenstein Center.

Progressive/Conservative Summit 2018 is presented in partnership with the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation, the Progressive Women’s Alliance of West Michigan and the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal.

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/hc.

Carla A. Hills will present the William E. Simon Lecture in Public Affairs.

By Nate Hoekstra

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies will present Ambassador Carla Hills, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Trade Representative, with the Hauenstein Fellowship Medal, one of the highest honors the university can give.

The presentation of the medal will follow Hills’ William E. Simon Lecture in Public Affairs, celebrating President Gerald R. Ford’s 104th birthday, at the Ford Presidential Museum at 7 p.m. on July 13.

Hills served as President Ford’s HUD Secretary (the third woman to hold a cabinet position) and also served as an assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.

She has also served as a professor in UCLA’s law school and is currently the chairman and CEO of Hills & Company International Consultants.

The Hauenstein Fellowship Medal recognizes the extraordinary life of the center’s namesake, Ralph Hauenstein, and is intended to recognize public servants who exemplify the service and leadership that Grand Valley State University seeks to inspire in its students and graduates.

“The conferral of the Hauenstein Medal is always a very special occasion for our center, as it allows us to reflect on Ralph’s life and achievements while celebrating someone who holds the same leadership ideals,” said center director Gleaves Whitney.

Previous recipients of the Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship Medal include President Gerald R. Ford (posthumously), Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State James A. Baker, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, Ambassador John Beyrle, and Admiral James M. Loy.

For more information, visit hauensteincenter.org.