Grand Forum
Grand Forum is a member-based educational program for adults 55 years and older who are eager to both learn and engage with peers. Grand Forum provides an opportunity for members to meet in an academic setting for the purpose of intellectual stimulation and social exchange.
Members come from a variety of backgrounds and areas, and include GVSU alumni, staff, faculty, retirees and community members from all educational backgrounds. The diversity of the group leads to thought-provoking and challenging questions and discussion about timely topics.
Spring 2025 Seminar Dates
Grand Forum Schedule
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Uniquely Michigan with Dianna Stempfler
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Rosie the Riveter with Claire Kitchin Dahl
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Goodbye Stories with Ric Mixter
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - The Science of Alzheimer's with Irving Vega
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - The Supreme Court with Devin Schindler
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - The Climate and Your Health with Steven Ashmead
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Copper Peak/Stormy Kromer with Bob Jaquart
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - The History of Big Red with Valerie van Heest
→ These sessions take place at the Charles W. Loosemore Forum in the L. William Seidman Center at 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Fall 2025 Dates:
COMING SOON!!!!!!
Additional Opportunities
Events
Faculty Artist Recital: Dr. Greg Crowell, early keyboard instruments
March 27, 2025 7:30 PM
Guest Artist Recital: Dr. Ronaldo Rolim, piano
March 28, 2025 7:30 PM
HEAR ME ROAR (presented by Theatre at Grand Valley)
March 28, 2025 7:30 PM
HEAR ME ROAR (presented by Theatre at Grand Valley)
March 29, 2025 7:30 PM
HEAR ME ROAR (presented by Theatre at Grand Valley)
March 30, 2025 2:00 PM
Breaking Down Employment Barriers for Formerly Incarcerated People (APPROVED INT100/201)
April 2, 2025 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker and Program Archive
Past Grand Forum programs are recorded and made available to all Grand Forum Members. Please reach out to Grand Forum (grandforum@gvsu.edu) to receive the access link.
Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies with Megan Rydecki
John Ball Zoo: The Past, The Present, The Future with Peter D'Arienzo
How President Bill Clinton's Campaigns Reshaped Modern Presidential Politics with Jay Barth
Learning Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Experiential Education with Jennifer Drake
One Year in the Hot Seat: Leadership Reflections from Grand Rapids Fire Chief with Brad Brown
Housing Next: Grand Rapids Housing Update with Brooke Oosterman
America's Indispensable Man: Gerald Ford with Gleaves Whitney
Elections: The Process, Integrity, and Security with Michael Sullivan
Technology and AI with Milos Topic
Michigan POW Camps in WWII with Gregory Sumner
The U.S. Supreme Court: The Changing Legacy of the "Least Dangerous Branch" with Devin Schindler
Real Cop: A Memoir of a Career Street Officer with David Leonard
On Sacred Ground – A Pre-European an Early Grand Rapids History with Dan VanMeurs
Grand Action 2.0 with Kara Wood
Euphoria - GVSU Student a cappella group
Beckering Family Carillon Tower Presentation/Performance with Julianne Vanden Wyngaard
The State of Policing in Grand Rapids with Chief Eric Winstrom
West Michigan’s Economy after COVID and Beyond with Dr. Paul Isely
Comrade King withJeffrey Kelly Lowenstein and Khulu Radebe
Fatal Crossing: The Mysterious Disappearance of Northwest Flight 2501 in Lake Michigan with Valerie van Heest
The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion with Carol Dodge
Grand Valley State University Update with President Philomena V. Mantella
The Reclaiming of Muskegon Lake with Dr. Alan Steinman
Wisdom of Animals: A Nature-led Journey into the Heart of Transformational Leadership with Dr. Patrick Bishop
Chinese Thought with Peimin Ni
The Holocaust and the Impact on Grand Rapids with Robert Franciosi
Protecting Trees from Invasive Species with Lawrence Burns and Alexandra Locher
Critical Race Theory Part 1 with Fred Johnson
The NCAA and GVSU Athletics: Today and Into the Future with Keri Becker
Critical Race Theory Part 2 with Fred Johnson
State of Grand Rapids with Mayor Bliss
Islamophobia with Coeli Fitzpatrick
Locally Grown Food and the Grand Valley Farm with Michael
Hinkle, GVSU Farm Manager and Educator
Dutch Art History with Henry Luttikhuizen
Frances Perkins and the Women Behind the New Deal with GVSU
Professor Dr. Judy Whipps
The Grand Haven Bank Robbery with Judge David Buter
The State of the University with GVSU President Philomena
V. Mantella joined by Fatma Mili, Provost and Executive Vice
President for Academic Affairs
Senior Leadership Team Panel including:
Laura Aikens, Vice President for University Development
Stacie Behler, Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and
Communications Officer
Jesse Bernal, Chief of Staff to the
President & Vice President for Inclusion and Equity
Jenny
Hall- Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs
Milos Topic, Vice
President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer
Cryptocurrency with Aaron Sundman, Digital Specialist, Amway
Mathias Alten Artwork Tour in the George and Barbara Gordon
Gallery with Henry Matthews, Former Director of Galleries and
Collections, GVSU
Programming Sample
Enjoy these two sample Grand Forum programs from the past year! These videos showcase what Grand Forum strives for: an opportunity to learn from an expert in a specific area and then the ability for Grand Forum members to ask questions and converse with others.
Grand Action 2.0 with Kara Wood
The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion - Carol Dodge
“An interest in learning is the only prerequisite for membership.”
—
Mary Buckmaster, Founder and First Director of Grand Forum
