Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz hosted the inaugural Presidential Speaker Series, featuring Richard Burr, Ted Mitchell and Margaret Spellings, at the Wharton Center on March 17, 2026. Together, the group had a panel discussion on how universities can help strengthen democracy by modeling respect, dialogue and understanding across differences.
Link to watch video of event on YouTube
Panelists:
- Richard Burr – Principal Policy Advisor at DLA Piper, former U.S. Senator of North Carolina
- Ted Mitchell – President of American Council on Education (ACE), former U.S. Under Secretary of Education to Barack Obama, former President of Occidental College
- Margaret Spellings – President and CEO of Bipartisan Policy Center, former U.S. Secretary of Education, former President of University of North Carolina System
Moderator:
- Kevin M. Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University