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Hart-Milliken Series Guest Speakers
The Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics will encourage a more civil approach to politics, by inviting individuals to speak on campus who have demonstrated a commitment to encouraging positive change in American politics and policy-making. This series will assist Central Michigan University in its efforts to prepare students to be future leaders.
The endowment's advisory board seeks keynote speakers whose work embodies the ideals of leaders like Senator Philip A. Hart and Governor William G. Milliken. The board selects individuals who promote the greater good of the communities and people they serve through a spirit of reason, cooperation and inclusiveness.
Although the series is national in focus, special consideration may be given to speakers with ties or expertise in issues of significance to Michigan and the Midwest.
Events
Iran, Middle East Instability & National Security
Thursday, October 22, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Hybrid event | Livestream in Anspach 256
In partnership with Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum, the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series hosts national security expert Javed Ali, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan, former Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Middle East instability directly shapes American foreign policy, economic stability, and domestic security. As Washington attempts to pivot focus toward Great Power competition with China and Russia, recurring regional crises continue pulling military, intelligence, and diplomatic assets back into the region. Recent developments—such as the August 2026 Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan—signal a profound shift toward regional self-reliance and collective deterrence. This evolving security architecture reshapes long-standing U.S. alliances, influences global energy corridors, and complicates Washington’s efforts to counter Iran’s proxy networks, drone proliferation, and gray-zone cyber tactics.
This event will take place at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City with a moderated livestream in Anspach 256 on the campus of Central Michigan University. The livestream will be moderated by Central Michigan University faculty member Thomas Greitens, chairperson of the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service.
You can learn more about the event and the speaker series by visiting the International Affairs Forum website. This partnership is supported by the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics at Central Michigan University.
Scheduled events
Thu Nov 12, 2026 @ 7 p.m. - Boiling Point: How America Brought War to Ukraine. Stephen Kinzer, former New York Times foreign correspondent. This event will take place at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City with a moderated livestream in Anspach 256 on the campus of Central Michigan University.
Thu Feb 18, 2027 @ 7 p.m. - IAF-CMU Hart-Milliken Series, our partner event, at the Dennos Museum Center. Speakers not yet confirmed. This event will take place at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City with a bus traveling from Mount Pleasant to Traverse City for the event. Complimentary seats available for all students. We will also host a moderated livestream in Anspach 256 on the campus of Central Michigan University.
Thu Oct 15, 2026 from 6 - 9 p.m. - IAF Gala. Candy Crowley, former CNN Chief Political Correspondent, "An Evening of Political Insight & Global Perspective." This event is in person only at the Hagerty Center, NMC Great Lakes Campus.
Past speakers
Paul Hollingsworth
Paul Hollingsworth, President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and a former senior U.S. intelligence official at the CIA & National Security Council., presented "U.S. Intelligence in the 21st Century: National Security in an Era of Disruption" in partnership with the Northwestern Michigan College International Affairs Forum and the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series. September 17, 2026
Kori Schake
Kori Schake, Ph.D., Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute, presented "Long Arm or Strongarm? Executive Power in Foreign Policy and at Home" in partnership with the Northwestern Michigan College International Affairs Forum and the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series. February 19, 2026
David Hollister and Ray Tadgerson
David Hollister, who served as Lansing's mayor from 1993 to 2003, and Raymond Tadgerson, a professional engineer and former CEO and president of Capital Consultants, discussed how skilled leadership helped convince General Motors to construct two new Lansing manufacturing facilities during a recession. They shared their experiences and perspectives on how similar coalitions can be forged to tackle pressing community problems. October 20, 2016
General Colin Powell
General Colin Powell served as the 65th United States Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005 and is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. General Powell discussed how to remain focused, take responsibility and work toward improving processes, organizations and people. January 24, 2013
Congressman Bart Stupak
Congressman Bart Stupak discussed leadership and integrity in politics. Stupak served as U.S. representative from Michigan's First Congressional District from 1993 to 2011. In 2010 he played an important role in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform act) while also facing death threats and political backlash. September 26, 2011
Senator Carl Levin
U.S. Senator Carl Levin served as the inaugural speaker for the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics. Former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken and two sons of the late Senator Philip Hart attended the presentation. Levin, who served as a U.S. senator from Michigan from 1979 to 2015, discussed "Keeping an Ethical Course In a Political Storm." November 22, 2009
