People interested in politics will come from across the Midwest to gather at Calvin College in mid-October.
The event - the 35th annual meeting of the Michigan Conference of Political Scientists - will be held October 16-17 at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin.
It will bring together not only political science professors from schools big, small and in-between, but also a variety of politicians, media who cover politics and more. The general public also is able to register for the event.
Calvin Professor of political science, James Penning (above), President-Elect of the Michigan Conference of Political Scientists, says the upcoming conference should be a terrific one for both political junkies and even those with a passing interest in politics.
"We've got a really good line-up of people coming," says Penning. "Everyone from (Grand Rapids Mayor-Elect) George Heartwell to Bill Ballenger (editor of Inside Michigan Politics) to Mark Brewer (head of the Democratic Party in Michigan)."
The conference will begin on Thursday, October 16 with afternoon registration followed by a variety of panel discussions on such things as "Teaching Political Science" and "Governor Granholm's First Six Months." There will be a 7 p.m. dinner followed by a keynote speech by Kurt Kimball, Grand Rapids City Manager, on "City Budgeting in a Time of Fiscal Stress."
On Friday, October 17 there will be numerous panel discussions plus lunch and a luncheon address by Heartwell. Panels will cover such topics as "New Directions in International Relations," "Politics and Non-Profit Organizations," "Michigan Elections: 2000 and Beyond," "Religion and Politics," "The Middle East: Conflict and Consensus" and "Media and Politics."
Mayor-Elect George Heartwell's lunch address is on "Challenges Facing Michigan Cities."
Cost for both days, including Thursday's dinner and Friday's lunch, is just $30 for students and $40 for non-students. People who can only attend one day can do so for $15 for students and $20 for non-students.