Griffin Forums
The Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government organizes two policy forums each year that address social, political-economic, environmental, and other current and important issues.
Spring 2025 Griffin Forum
Legislative Legends: A Forum of Experience
Wednesday, April 30
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Park Library, Sarah and Daniel Opperman Auditorium
Open map
Join us for the Spring 2025 Griffin Forum: "Legislative Legends: A Forum of Experience." Retired WXYZ 7 anchor Dave LewAllen interviews Former Congressman Dan Kildee and Former State Senator Jim Ananich. Hear candid reflections on the Jan. 6 insurrection, the Flint water crisis, and the real deal on trade and environmental policies. Plus, years of hard-earned political wisdom.
Forum participants
- Jim Ananich, served in the Michigan State Senate from 2013-2023, representing the 27th district in Genesee County.
- Dan Kildee, served as a U.S. representative from Michigan from 2013-2025.
- Dave LewAllen, '79 (Journalism), retired after 35 years at WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) in Detroit, where he had been the longest-tenured TV news personality in the market.
Event sponsors
The Griffin Forums are sponsored by the Robert and Marjorie Griffin
Endowed Chair in American Government within the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at
Central Michigan University. The Spring 2025 forum is also co-sponsored by the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics.
Past forums
- Baldly Bipartisan, Civil Political Talk featuring John Sellek & Adrian Hemond (10/22/2025)
- Shaping LGBTQ+ Policies in Michigan (10/2/2023)
- Can Policy Break the Stigma? Mental Health Policy in Michigan (3/14/2023)
- Ballot Breakdown (10/25/2022)
- Cannabis Policy: Hashing it Out (3/15/2022)
- Reporting from Washington: A Conversation with Political Correspondents (4/12/2021)
- Building Better Communities Through Passion, Power, Politics and Purpose (2/18/2019)
- The Redistricting Dilemma: How the Political Map Determines Elections (4/9/2018)
- Off the Record, On the Road: Borders, Boundaries, and Migration (10/30/2017)
- Civility, Engagement and Polarized Politics: How Can I Make a Difference? Five Perspectives from Distinguished Michigan Leaders (4/17/2017)
- HUMAN TRAFFICKING! Not in my neighborhood? (3/20/2017)
- Michigan's Democratic and Republican Parties: In a State of Evolution or Revolution? (9/26/2016)
- Emergency Financial Managers . . . Do They Have a Legitimate Place in Michigan Government? (3/21/2016)
- Highway Tax Proposal (4/20/2015)
- The Future of Healthcare in Michigan: Availability, Affordability, and Quality (4/7/2014)
- Justice Elizabeth Weaver (10/21/2013)
- The Future of Labor Unions in Michigan (4/8/2013
- Predictions for the November Elections (4/2/2012)
- The Future of Higher Education in Michigan (10/10/2011)
- And Justice for All? Should Michigan Change the Way We Select Judges? (4/4/2011)
- Making Public Management Work in the Global Economy (9/23/2010)
- Changing Michigan's Mitten: How Many Cities, Townships and School Districts Do We Need? (4/14/2010)
- Michigan's Economic Future: Is There a Light at the End of the Assembly Line? (10/27/2009)
- Election 2008: What will happen on November 4th and how will the results impact Michigan? (10/22/2008)
- Can Climate Change Heat Up Michigan's Economy? (4/9/2008)
- Now What? Managing the Budget Crisis (11/6/2007)
- Does Michigan Need a New Constitution? (4/11/2007)
- November 7: What Will Happen? (10/25/2006)
- Affirmative Action/Racial Preferences: Should They Be Banned? (3/29/2006)
- Michigan's Economy: Can it be Saved? (10/26/2005)
- Multiple Threats to Michigan's Water (4/19/2005)
- Campaign 2004: What Will Happen? (10/19/2004)
- Future of Gambling in Michigan (4/14/2004)
- Is the Michigan Judiciary Being Corrupted by Money & Elections? (11/20/2003)
- Women in Power in Lansing (3/26/2003)
- Investing in Higher Education in Michigan (11/20/2002)
- Term Limits (4/18/2002)
- Political Civility (4/12/2001)