Griffin Forums
The Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government organizes two policy forums each year that address social, political-economic, environmental, and other current and important issues.
Griffin Forum 25th Anniversary
America 250: Then, Now & Next
Featuring Keynote Speaker Jon Meacham
Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:00 p.m. at the Flint Institute of Arts*
1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503
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We cordially invite you to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In partnership with the Ballenger Eminent Persons Lecture Series at Mott Community College, we hope that you will join us for a private anniversary gala and public keynote address by presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham.
*Central Michigan University will provide a bus from our Mount Pleasant campus to Flint for this event. We'll provide additional information soon with a registration link for transportation to and from the event.
About Jon Meacham
Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham is one of America's most prominent public intellectuals. A highly sought-after commentator, Meacham regularly appears on MSNBC, CNN, and other news outlets. A skilled orator with a depth of knowledge about politics, religion, and current affairs, Meacham has the unique ability to bring history to life and offer historical context to current events and issues impacting our daily lives—whether we realize it or not—to audiences of all backgrounds and levels of understanding.
Meacham served as Newsweek’s managing editor from 1998 to 2006 and as editor from 2006 to 2010. He is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, including And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle and Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush.
Named a “Global Leader for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Meacham is a distinguished visiting professor at Vanderbilt University where he holds the Rogers Chair in the American Presidency. In 2024 he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Biden and was honored as a Library Lion of the New York Public Library.
Event sponsors
The Griffin Forums are sponsored by the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government within the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service with support from the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics at Central Michigan University. The 25th anniversary event is also co-sponsored by the Ballenger Eminent Persons Lecture Series at Mott Community College.
Past forums
- Democracy Defense Project featuring former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, former State Attorney General Bill Schuette, and County Clerks Abe Dane and Domonique Clemons. (4/14/2026)
- Dr. Mona Hanna: From the Flint Water Crisis to Rx Kids (11/12/2025)
- Legislative Legends: A Forum of Experience featuring Jim Ananich, Dan Kildee and Dave LewAllen (4/20/2025)
- Baldly Bipartisan, Civil Political Talk featuring John Sellek & Adrian Hemond (10/22/2025)
- Shaping LGBTQ+ Policies in Michigan (10/2/2023)
- Can Policy Break the Stigma? Mental Health Policy in Michigan (3/14/2023)
- Ballot Breakdown (10/25/2022)
- Cannabis Policy: Hashing it Out (3/15/2022)
- Reporting from Washington: A Conversation with Political Correspondents (4/12/2021)
- Building Better Communities Through Passion, Power, Politics and Purpose (2/18/2019)
- The Redistricting Dilemma: How the Political Map Determines Elections (4/9/2018)
- Off the Record, On the Road: Borders, Boundaries, and Migration (10/30/2017)
- Civility, Engagement and Polarized Politics: How Can I Make a Difference? Five Perspectives from Distinguished Michigan Leaders (4/17/2017)
- HUMAN TRAFFICKING! Not in my neighborhood? (3/20/2017)
- Michigan's Democratic and Republican Parties: In a State of Evolution or Revolution? (9/26/2016)
- Emergency Financial Managers . . . Do They Have a Legitimate Place in Michigan Government? (3/21/2016)
- Highway Tax Proposal (4/20/2015)
- The Future of Healthcare in Michigan: Availability, Affordability, and Quality (4/7/2014)
- Justice Elizabeth Weaver (10/21/2013)
- The Future of Labor Unions in Michigan (4/8/2013
- Predictions for the November Elections (4/2/2012)
- The Future of Higher Education in Michigan (10/10/2011)
- And Justice for All? Should Michigan Change the Way We Select Judges? (4/4/2011)
- Making Public Management Work in the Global Economy (9/23/2010)
- Changing Michigan's Mitten: How Many Cities, Townships and School Districts Do We Need? (4/14/2010)
- Michigan's Economic Future: Is There a Light at the End of the Assembly Line? (10/27/2009)
- Election 2008: What will happen on November 4th and how will the results impact Michigan? (10/22/2008)
- Can Climate Change Heat Up Michigan's Economy? (4/9/2008)
- Now What? Managing the Budget Crisis (11/6/2007)
- Does Michigan Need a New Constitution? (4/11/2007)
- November 7: What Will Happen? (10/25/2006)
- Affirmative Action/Racial Preferences: Should They Be Banned? (3/29/2006)
- Michigan's Economy: Can it be Saved? (10/26/2005)
- Multiple Threats to Michigan's Water (4/19/2005)
- Campaign 2004: What Will Happen? (10/19/2004)
- Future of Gambling in Michigan (4/14/2004)
- Is the Michigan Judiciary Being Corrupted by Money & Elections? (11/20/2003)
- Women in Power in Lansing (3/26/2003)
- Investing in Higher Education in Michigan (11/20/2002)
- Term Limits (4/18/2002)
- Political Civility (4/12/2001)