Opening presentation on Thursday April 30th. The South Haven Speakers Series will launch its 12th season this spring with four compelling programs addressing major issues that shape both our world and our community.
Board president Elaine Stephens noted that this season’s topics and speakers were selected by the Speakers Series Board with input from past audiences. “The topics reflect issues that are crucial to what we face around the world and at our doorstep,” she said. “It will be another exciting year for those attending our series and for those watching repeat broadcasts from our website and on YouTube.”
The series opens on Thursday, April 30 with Ambassador Bridget Brink, an American diplomat and west Michigan native who served as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine for four years, including during the Russian invasion in 2022. She previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia and has held positions in the State Department since 1996.
Her extensive experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Southern European Affairs where she coordinated U.S. foreign policy to advance U.S. interests with Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
Ambassador Brink is uniquely qualified to address the central question of her talk: “Why Ukraine and Eastern Europe Matter.”
On Thursday, May 14, Annie Blackwell, an astronomer at the University of Michigan, will address “How Bright Lights Endanger Starry Nights” as she describes the growing challenge of light pollution and efforts to reduce it. Research shows that light pollution is costly, disturbing wildlife and harming human health.
Board member and author Michael McCarthy observes that brightened skies are depriving people of the stellar spectacle that has inspired humanity for ages. “During the day South Haven offers wonderful lake views and sunsets,” McCarthy said. “It is possible we could provide an after-dark experience of breathtaking brilliant skies.”
The fall series opens on Thursday, October 22 with Dr. Tom Ludwig, Professor of Psychology at Hope College. He will speak on the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, noting that one Microsoft CEO predicts that technological change over the next several years will reshape most jobs across nearly every industry.
Dr. Ludwig asks: “Will AI change what it means to be a person? Are we ready to have cheerleaders and crowds root for robot basketball teams?”
The series concludes on Thursday, November 19 with respected journalist and author Tim Alberta, who has covered the national political scene for years. His presentation follows shortly after the midterm elections. Alberta has written for The Hotline, The Wall Street Journal, National Journal, National Review, Politico, and currently The Atlantic.
Alberta will discuss broader cultural trends, including polarization, extremism, and the roots of unrest in American society –all of this informed by his reporting from across the country and his particular insights.
Alberta will address the question that all of us face: How do we cope without being sucked into the quicksand of extremism and conflict? With his unique insights and point of view, along with his deeply personal faith as well as a subtle sense of humor, he will explain what we need to do to successfully survive in our difficult times.
All presentations are held at Lake Michigan College — South Haven Campus. Refreshments are available at 6:30 p.m.and all programs start at 7:00 p.m.
All programs are recorded for later viewing on the Speakers Series website and YouTube channel.
The South Haven Speakers Series is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions can be mailed to: South Haven Speakers Series P.O. Box 572 South Haven, MI 49090
