By James Windell
The South Haven Speakers Series just announced its lineup for the 2026 season – its 12th year of bringing topnotch speakers and compelling topics to South Haven.
The four programs this year address major issues that shape our world and our community.
The South Haven Speakers Series Board President Elaine Stephens noted that this season’s topics and speakers were selected by the Speakers Series Board with input from past audiences. “The topics reflect issues that are crucial to what we face around the world and at our doorstep,” she said. “It will be another exciting year for those attending our series and for those watching repeat broadcasts from our website and on YouTube.”
Opening up the 2026 series on Thursday, April 30 will be Ambassador Bridget Brink, an American diplomat and west Michigan native who served as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine for four years, including during the Russian invasion in 2022. Previously she served as U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia and has held positions in the State Department since 1996.
Ambassador Brink is uniquely qualified to address the central question of her talk, which is “Why Ukraine and Eastern Europe Matter.” “Although the conflict in Ukraine and Eastern Europe receives less attention now,” says Stephens, “developments there continue to affect our national security and economic interests, as well as global security and adherence to international law.”
Stephens also points out that the U.S. faces an existential question: whether and how to support our democratic allies when Russia or another aggressor country threatens them?
On Thursday, May 14, Annie Blackwell, an astronomer at the University of Michigan, will address “How Bright Lights Endanger Starry Nights” as she describes the growing challenge of light pollution and efforts to reduce it. Research shows that light pollution is costly, disturbing wildlife and harming human health.
Board member and author Michael McCarthy observes that brightened skies are depriving people of the stellar spectacle that has inspired humanity for ages. “During the day South Haven offers wonderful lake views and sunsets,” McCarthy says. “It is possible we could provide an after-dark experience of breathtaking brilliant skies.”
The fall series opens on Thursday, October 22 with Dr. Tom Ludwig, Professor of Psychology at Hope College. He will speak on the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, noting that one Microsoft CEO predicts that technological change over the next several years will reshape most jobs across nearly every industry.
Dr. Ludwig will address several important questions related to AI, including: “Will AI change what it means to be a person? Are we ready to have cheerleaders and crowds root for robot basketball teams?”
The series concludes on Thursday, November 19 with respected journalist and author Tim Alberta, who has covered the national political scene for years. His presentation – “The Art of Getting Along in a Troubled Society” – follows shortly after the midterm elections. Alberta has written for The Hotline, The Wall Street Journal, National Journal, National Review, Politico, and currently The Atlantic.
In his talk, Alberta will discuss broader cultural trends, including polarization, extremism, and the roots of unrest in American society –all of this informed by his reporting from across the country and his particular insights.
“Our Board reflects a wide range of opinions and beliefs,” says Stephens, “yet we are united by a shared concern about the growing polarization of our country and the extremism and distrust we hear daily. We worry about what has happened to our ability to listen to differing viewpoints and to treat one another with dignity and respect.
“In bringing Alberta to South Haven, we wanted a speaker with both depth of knowledge and strength of conviction – someone who could help us understand what’s happening within the broader context of cultural and societal trends. Tim Alberta’s credentials and background are an excellent fit, and his subtle sense of humor promises to bring a welcome lightness to a challenging topic.”
All South Haven Speakers Series presentations will be held at Lake Michigan College — South Haven Campus. Refreshments are available at 6:30 p.m.and all programs start at 7:00 p.m.
All programs are recorded for later viewing on the Speakers Series website and YouTube channel.
For more information, visit the Speakers Series website at southhavenspeakersseries.org.
