Speakers Series of South Haven
Issues, Innovations & Ideas Shaping Our Lives
2023
Cannabis…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Jennifer Rigterink, Asst. Director MML
American Health Care. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. A Call for a New Model. Randy Oostra, DM, FACHE
Challenges to Democracy: The Growth of Autocracy in the World, Dr. Joel Toppen
The World According to Xi: Should US Fear China’s Rise? Dr. Ann Chih Lin
2022
How Technology Both Increases Polarization and Builds Bridges, Dr. Lisa Schirch
Game Changing Advances in Medicine, Medical Geneticist Dr. Caleb Bupp, MD
Best place to live in 2050? Michigan! Best-Selling Author Parag Khanna
The Roots of Russian – American Discord, Professor Dr. Jim Butterfield
2021
What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Professor Dr. Joel Toppen
Michigan Business Recovery, Executive Editor Kelley Root
The Pandemic Economy and Beyond, Dr. Paul Isely | Rob Cleveland | Jim Hettinger
The Inside Story of the Virus and the Vaccine, Dr. H. Clifford Lane, M.D.
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
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
Dr. Jean Norris spent over 30 years working in higher education. She challenged students and parents to consider if college is the best choice. Her son, Michael Norris drew upon his own educational journey, sharing what he’s learned. He introduced the Five Factors of Fit that help align goals with career and college options.
Video by Richard Brunvand.
“The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs” is the Theme of the first South Haven Speakers Series 2017 Presentation.
Dr. David Ryden, Professor of political science at Hope College and a nationally recognized authority on the Presidency and the United States Supreme Court, addressed how President Trump’s nominees influence the Court.
Video by Richard Brunvand
A. Brad Schwartz, Author of “Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News”, discussed the fake news of 2016 through a historical lens, and challenged his audience to be aware of the need to fact check what is being said. In reference to the current election cycle, Schwartz said, “everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts”.
Check out the WMUK 102.1 npr radio interview with the author and more information >>>
Photos from the Event
Watch a video of the event.
Video by Richard Brunvand.
The skyrocketing cost of prisons and the issue of criminal sentencing reform was the topic by Joe Haveman, a former Michigan State Representative who is an advocate for prison reform.
Photos from the event:
Watch the video:
Video by Richard Brunvand
Erik Mollenhauer’s thought-provoking presentation challenged us to explore what happens to our humanity when we separate ourselves from nature.
A nationally recognized science educator, he described the core elements imprinted in our genetic and emotional memory that shed light on our place in the world. Passionate about the environment, Erik showed us why we need to reconnect with the wonders of nature to be fully functioning human beings.
Listen to the interview on NPR, WMUK 102.1 FM with Erik Mollenhauer:
http://wmuk.org/post/wsw-nature-digital-world >>>
Photos from the Event:
Watch the video:
Video by Richard Brunvand
Our panel discussed the lack of civility and other questions surrounding the political landscape.
