
The Role of the Media in Democratic Decline
Gilad Halpern
February 24, 2020

Hate Speech
Arthur Milikh
November 11, 2019

The Fight of Our Lives: Defeating the Ideological War Against the West
Gloria Z. Greenfield
November 5, 2019

It's Good to be Rich: How Liberalism Works for the Benefit of the World
Deirdre McCloskey
October 24, 2019
A New Look at the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the Creation of the Palestinian Refugee Problem
Benny Morris
April 8, 2019
Dangerous Minds in Dangerous Times: Resurgent Fascism and Antisemitism
Ronald Beiner
November 15, 2018
Ronald Beiner, the noted Canadian political theorist, spoke lucidly and compellingly about the influence of Nietzsche and Heidegger on the “alt-right” today. NMU’s own Dr. Jonathan Allen gave a marvelous response, picking up on an extending some of Beiner’s themes. Turnout was excellent. An experience of robust free speech was had by all in an environment that embraced differences of opinion and cultivated viewpoint diversity. Beiner also gave a marvelous seminar the day before, for select faculty and advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
UNRWA: United Nations Relief & Works Agency
Asaf Rominrowsky
November 5th, 2018
Dr. Asaf Romirowsky, Executive Director of Scholastic’s for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) spoke about prospects for peace and intellectual freedom in the Middle East. We had a great turnout for this event, and a wonderful, robust conversation with an engaged audience. If we can debate these contentious issues with civility while respecting viewpoint diversity, the future of free speech on campus is in good shape!
Citizenship and Identity
Mark Lilla
April 12, 2018
Mark Lilla spoke about citizenship and identity, themes drawn from his important 2017 book, The Once and Future Liberal. Turnout was spectacular and Prof. Lilla was extremely generous with his time, talking to students individually after the talk until we had to drag him off to dinner. All in all, an instructive experience of robust free speech about controversial matters of common concern. Score another one for viewpoint diversity on campus—as Lilla challenged the dominant politically correct view of identity politics, which he argues is harmful to democracy in America today. NMU’s own Dr. Jonathan Allen provided brilliant introductory remarks, as well. A fine occasion and a win for intellectual freedom, all in all!