The Art of Leadership: Andrew Jackson & Lessons from the American Presidency

Jon Meacham

Thursday, April 12, 2018 @ 7 pm

Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton
Join us as distinguished presidential historian and winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House Jon Meacham explores what 21st century leaders can learn from our common past. Meacham’s non-partisan presentation discusses how examples of former U.S. Presidents, including Andrew Jackson, can inform today’s leaders in various fields.

• Free Public event
• Reception and book-signing to follow

Thurgood Marshall in Black & White

Juan Williams

Tuesday October 10 @ 7 p.m.

Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Thurgood Marshall’s appointment as the first African American Justice on the U. S. Supreme Court. Political analyst and former NPR host Williams shares stories about Marshall’s life, his heroic role in the Civil Rights Movement, and his stunning legal success. While Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X may be better known, Marshall’s legacy continues to shape race relations to this day. Juan Williams is a two-time Emmy Award winner and author of Eyes on the Prize, a companion volume to the PBS documentary of the Civil Rights Movement.

Williams flier

• Free public event
• Reception and book signing to follow

Remembering Jim Blount

Sad news this week as we remember Jim Blount. Jim was a longtime friend of the Michael J. Colligan History Project, and namesake of the Jim Blount History Educator Award. His many achievements reflected his unique character and varied career. Jim was proclaimed City of Hamilton Historian in honor of his lifelong interest, research, and writing on the history of his hometown. A former Journal-News editor and Hamilton Schools teacher, Jim volunteered for many years on the Butler County Transportation Improvement District. This summer it was announced that the South Hamilton Crossing, soon to be completed, will be named in his honor.

Our condolences to Jim’s widow Jackie and his family.
Journal-News Obituary

Catching up

A sincere thank you to all who attended the Michael J. Colligan History Project this spring. Our final event of the semester was a welcome return by distinguished writer, historian, and Miami Journalism Professor Jim Tobin (pictured below) on “Polio and the Making of FDR.”

This was also our 174th program since we began exploring and commemorating a diverse array of historical perspectives in 2000.  During this time we have developed formal partnerships with the City of Hamilton, Fitton Center, Heritage Hall, The Lane Libraries, Smith Library of Regional History, Hamilton Schools, and Miami Hamilton Downtown Center. The Colligan’s distinctive public programing has been made possible through a cooperative funding arrangement between Miami University Regionals and the Michael J. Colligan Fund Committee of the Hamilton Community Foundation. We thank them for this unique support and look forward to announcing further exciting historical programs in the fall and spring of 2017-2018, to be announced soon on this website. In the meantime, we hope you all enjoy a restful and pleasant summer, and encourage you to keep in touch on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/colliganproject/

Polio & the Making of FDR

James Tobin, Professor of Media, Journalism, & Film, Miami University

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 @ 7.30pm

Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, Miami University Hamilton

The conventional wisdom of recent decades–that Franklin Roosevelt engaged in a massive deception about his disability–is flat wrong. In fact FDR might never have become president at all had it not been for his extraordinary comeback from polio. Award-winning author James Tobin spent 20 years as a reporter and freelance writer, published Ernie Pyle’s War: America’s Eyewitness to World War II in 1997, and The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight in 2003. The Man He Bacame: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency appeared in 2013.

 

• Free, public event
• Reception to follow

Neepwaantiinki: Partners in Learning. Miami University & the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma

Daryl Baldwin, Director, Myaamia Center, Miami University

Wednesday, March 15 @ 7.30pm

Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, Miami University Hamilton

Daryl Baldwin is a Class of 2016 MacArthur Fellow

Since 1972 the Miami Tribe and Miami University have been partnering to achieve both university and tribal community educational goals. This partnership is unique and has grown considerably over the last 40+ years. Daryl Baldwin, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma whose work with the Myaamia Center is a collaborative effort advancing the language and cultural needs of the Myaamia people, will explore many facets of how the tribe and university engage with each other and the resulting impact for both the university and tribal communities.

• Free public event
• Reception to follow

Announcing Our Spring 2017 Events!

This spring the Michael J. Colligan History Project is excited to welcome two outstanding speakers showcasing the excellence of Miami University research, practice, and scholarship. Join us on March 15 as Daryl Baldwin, 2016 MacArthur Fellow and Director of the Myaamia Center, explores the cultural and educational partnership between Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. And join us again on April 18 as we welcome back James Tobin, award-winning author and Miami University Professor of Journalism to learn how FDR defied polio and went on to become President of the United States.

Click below for link to our save-the-date information:

Spring 2017 Colligan Program

All events are free and open to the public.