GVSU Constitution Day event

America was fortunate that Benjamin Franklin was one of its founders. Although his origins were humble, ambition and talent carried him far in both the U.S. and Europe. No other middle-class human being has risen to such an array of leadership positions.

Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, will give a talk “Benjamin Franklin: Leader Extraordinaire” as a Constitution Day event. The event is free and open to the public.

“The focus on Benjamin Franklin is perfect this year here in West Michigan because of the highly acclaimed exhibit on Franklin that just opened at the Ford Museum,” said Whitney. “Franklin was a world-famous delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and he helped make sure the new frame of government was ratified in the 13 states.”

Whitney said Franklin led our nation as a best-selling author, businessman, scientist, inventor, educator, philanthropist, statesman, spy and more.

Benjamin Franklin: Leader Extraordinaire
Thursday, September 15
7 p.m.
Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids

Whitney is a presidential historian and author who served under former Michigan Gov. John Engler for 11 years as chief historian and speech writer. He is currently writing two books about American presidents. Since Whitney became director of the Hauenstein Center in 2003, it has hosted more than 275 programs, four were broadcast by C-SPAN and three others were webcast to an international audience.

For more information, contact the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at (616) 331-2770 or visit www.allpresidents.org.