Politicians and presidential candidates from both parties today seem to thrive on ego, sound bites and performance. But it wasn't always this way: some of our past leaders directed the nation with a steady hand, a calm demeanor and character.
If current GOP candidates like Donald Trump are the ego-driven type, West Michigan's Republican native son Gerald Ford was nearly a polar opposite. But no matter how selfless and humble Ford was, his legacy has often tended to focus on the pardon of President Richard Nixon without examining the character and principles behind the decision. On November 17, Richard Norton Smith, a historian, author and noted expert on President Ford will join the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies to explore "Character and the Presidency." He will be joined by a panel of experts.
The event will feature select scenes from a documentary currently in production about Ford's life and time in office. The documentary is being produced by Peter Secchia with additional support from Hank Meijer. Secchia will also speak about the comprehensive documentary.
"Character and the Presidency: Gerald Ford"
Tuesday, November 17, 6 p.m.
Pew Grand Rapids Campus, DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium
RSVP requested here: http://gvsu.edu/s/01p
The panel discussion after Richard Norton Smith's keynote address and remarks from Peter Secchia will include:
- Victoria Vuletich, ethics and legal studies professor at WMU Cooley Law School (moderator)
- Hendrik Booraem, expert on the early lives of presidents
- Tom Cronin, political science professor at Colorado College
- Kevin den Dulk, political science professor at Calvin College
- Jason Duncan, history professor at Aquinas College
- Mike Grass, producer and writer of Time and Chance, a film about President Ford
- Don Zinman, political science professor at Grand Valley State University
"In the midst of a bruising political debate season, we have an opportunity to talk about the character of the people who are seeking our nation's highest office, and to examine the characteristics we used to look for in those leaders," said Hauenstein Center director Gleaves Whitney. "We hope to separate hero from celebrity, and character from ego while we explore the stark differences between the character of leaders past and future."
The event is free and open to the public, however RSVPs are requested online here: http://gvsu.edu/s/01p.
For more information, visit hauensteincenter.org.
