Speakers Series of South Haven
Issues, Innovations & Ideas Shaping Our Lives
2020
We regret the 2020 Speakers Series presentations were canceled because of the COVID pandemic.
2019
Smart Thinking in a Post Truth Age, Psychologist David Myers
Top Trends Affecting Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm
The Great Lakes Water Wars Continue, Journalist Peter Anin
Affordable Housing: Obstacles and Solutions, Advocate Ryan Kilpatrick
2018
Reflections on Leadership and Perseverance, Mayor Dennis Archer
Michigan Mid-Term Election Issue, Journalist Phil Power
While Black People Slept, Professor Fred Johnson
Foreign Policy Challenges in 2018 and Beyond, Diplomat Jack Segal
A Road Map to Long Term Economic Recovery, Economist Marci Rossell McCarthy
2017
Bold Ideas for Better Schools, Educator Yvonne Caamal Canul
Mid East Issues, Professor Ebrahim Moosa
Immigration and Our Future, Entrepreneur Bing Goei
Making Michigan Work Even Better, Journalist Jack Lessenberry
Is College the Best Choice?, Educators Dr. Jean Norris and Michael Norris
The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs, Professor David Ryden
2016
Fake News 2016, Author A. Brad Schwartz
The Case for Sentencing and Prison Reform, Advocate Joe Haveman
Reconnecting with Nature in a Digital World, Educator Erik Mollenhauer
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?, Journalist Rick Albin, Dr. J.H. “Joe” Schwarz, Joan Bauer
Saving the Great Lakes: Water Quality Issues, EPA Senior Advisor Cameron Davis, Sr.
2015
Fighting Crime and Building Good Community Relations, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles
The Case of Economic Optimism, Economist Marci Rossell McCarthy
Transformative Changes Ahead for Americans, Health Care Advocate Jamie Orlikoff
Water Tension and the Great Lakes Compact, Journalist Peter Annin
Hope College Political Science Professor Joel Toppen offered his insights on the 20-year war in Afghanistan and the implications of the Taliban’s return to power.
Below are photo’s from the event.
Watch the YouTube video: What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Dr. Joel Toppen, Political Science Professor, Hope College
The South Haven Speakers Series resumed in-person presentations with the focus on Michigan’s business climate and the pandemic.
Kelley Root, Executive Editor of Crain’s Detroit Business, discussed the way forward for Michigan business as they emerge from the pandemic.
Speakers series president Mark Odland welcomed everyone saying it was good to have a “live” audience after doing three virtual presentations to open the 2021season.
Ms. Root joined Crain’s Detroit Business in March of 2020 after working at The Detroit News for 16 years, most recently as managing editor. Prior to her time in Detroit, she was a reporter and assistant city editor for The Grand Rapids Press. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University where she served as editor-in-chief of The State News.
Watch the YouTube video, Michigan Business Recovery: Kelley Root, Executive Editor, Crain’s Detroit Business
Dr. Paul Isely, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, took a close-up look at the impact of COVID-19 on our economy and what we can expect as the pandemic comes to an end. He was joined by local panelist Rob Cleveland, president of Cornerstone Alliance; and Jim Hettinger, president & CEO of Jim Hettinger Urban Development Services, LLC. They discussed the local impact and economic outlook for southwest Michigan. The program was moderated by Speakers Series Vice President Julie Cowie.
Watch the video – The Pandemic Economy and Beyond, Professor Paul Isely
The Speakers Series of South Haven launched its 2021 season on February 18 with a presentation focused on the “Inside Story of the Virus and the Vaccine” by Dr. H. Clifford Lane, M.D., Deputy Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease. View a recording of the online event (below).
Here’s some photos from the event.
Dr. Lane provided his findings on the virus, where it came from, how it got started, and how it spread so quickly and broadly throughout the United States. He shared stories about what he learned about the virus during his trip to China in February 2020 as one of two U.S. scientists to tour five different cities to get a first hand look at the epidemic. We heard his expert opinion on the vaccine and how it combats the virus, how it differs from other vaccines and how it was developed so quickly. We also heard his views on what we have learned to prevent future pandemics and how the method used to develop this vaccine can be utilized in the future as we encounter new diseases.
The Speakers Series collaborated with the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College to present this event at no charge to the public.
This event was sponsored through the generosity of Spectrum Health Lakeland, The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College, Kiwanis of South Haven, Rotary of South Haven, and Bronson South Haven Hospital.
The Speakers Series Board is busy developing a future schedule of events.
In a confusing era of alternative facts, fake news and civic leaders imposing fictions on reality, Myers presented lively and engaging insights. He gave examples of popular and potent false beliefs and explained how they develop.
He also examined possible biases–and successful remedies–within his own field of psychological science.
Here’s some photo’s from the event.
Video by Richard Brunvand
