Pair of election panels to address hot-button political issues

With just two weeks to go until Election Day, Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is hosting a pair of expert panels to analyze and discuss the issues and candidates.

Both panels will feature political experts from the Grand Valley community, all of whom will be addressing topics specific to their area of study before a question and answer period with the audience. 

One panel will take place on each of Grand Valley's campuses in Allendale and Grand Rapids. 

The first will take place on October 25 at 5 p.m. in the Cook-DeWitt Center on the university's main campus in Allendale. 

Speakers at that panel will include:

• Mark Richards, chair of Grand Valley's political science department, expert in constitutional law, judicial politics, and freedom of expression

• Erika King, professor of political science, expert in the role of media in American politics and public opinion

• Laura Schneider, associate professor of political science, expert in public policy, environmental policy, and women in politics

• Darren Walhof, professor of political science, expert in political thought, religion and politics, and constitutional law

• Don Zinman, associate professor of political science, expert in American politics, presidency, parties, and elections

The second panel will take place on November 1 at 7 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium on Grand Valley's Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Speakers at that panel will include:

• Mark Richards, chair of Grand Valley's political science department, expert in constitutional law, judicial politics, and freedom of expression

• Erika King, professor of political science, expert in the role of media in American politics and public opinion

• Polly Diven, professor of political science, expert in international relations, U.S. foreign policy, and American politics

• Matt McLogan, vice president for university relations, expert in political communication

• Jonathan White, executive director of Grand Valley State University’s Homeland Defense Initiative, expert in national security

Both panels are free and open to students and the public.