American presidents and philanthropy

Several U.S. presidents used their position to stimulate philanthropy, generosity and idealism. Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and Johnson Center for Philanthropy will host The American Presidency and Philanthropy.

The event takes place September 16-17, in Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton St. The event is free and open to the public.

Kathy Agard, executive director of the Johnson Center, will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The schedule is as follows:

September 16
7 p.m.: Keynote speaker Richard Gunderman will speak about Ben Franklin’s lessons in giving

September 17
8 a.m.: Joel Orosz on American philanthropy from the Puritans to George Washington
9:15 a.m.: Former Sen. Harris Wofford and Bill Schambra debate public/private partnerships
10:45 a.m.: Barbara Elliot, Brian Flanagan, George Nash, Joel Orosz and Gleaves Whitney on sacrifice and service from the White House
12:15 p.m.: Brad Birzer on the life of Charles Carroll
1:30 p.m.: Gleaves Whitney on Adam Smith and American generosity

BACKGROUND
Richard Gunderman is an associate professor in the School of Medicine and School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University. Gunderman’s commitment to education extends beyond medicine; he also teaches in the Center on Philanthropy and the Department of Philosophy at Indiana University. Gunderman has authored more than 200 scholarly articles and written textbooks on the subjects of radiology and ethics and philanthropy. He earned his medical degree and doctorate from the University of Chicago.

For more information about the event and scheduled speakers, contact the Hauenstein Center at (616) 331-2770 or the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at (616) 331-7585.