Final GVSU Presidential Roundtable: Bringing America together

Has America ever been this torn apart? Can the country come back together again? Two authors have explored the nation’s history and will join the next Grand Valley State University Presidential Roundtable to discuss how the nation forges a path back to a society that values community.

This conversation is the final roundtable in a series hosted by the university’s four most recent presidents examining the Constitution, elections and democracy. 

Authors Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett will provide historical perspective on how America has successfully worked through troubled times before. Their new book is titled, "The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again." They will join GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella and former presidents Thomas Haas, Mark Murray and Arend Lubbers.

The event is April 6 at 7 p.m. It is a virtual event. RSVP is required via this link.

"It is hopeful for us to end this series by examining how this country has pulled together after other truly challenging times," Mantella said. "These roundtables have been intellectually stimulating, but also hopeful, as we see how our institutions have held together. We are fortunate to hear from these acclaimed authors who can share their research and insights with us on how to move forward from polarization and deep divisions."

In their book, Putnam and Garrett used storytelling and statistical analysis to show the arc of more than a century of history while highlighting the lessons from earlier eras when Americans faced divisions and challenges.

The Presidential Roundtable Series is presented by Grand Valley State University, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, assisted by the GVSU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Office of Student Life, the Frederik Meijer Honors College and its Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse Program. For more information on the roundtable series, visit the Presidential Roundtable website.