Whitworth President's Leadership Forum: Fall 2026
Jon Meacham
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2026
7-8 p.m.
Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, Spokane
Seating is limited and registration is required.
Whitworth University, in partnership with The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages Book Club, is honored to welcome presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham as the featured speaker for the fall 2026 President’s Leadership Forum.
As one of America’s most prominent public scholars, Meacham explores American leadership, democracy and the nation’s constitutional ideals in his writings and discussions. He is a regular contributor to MSNBC, CNN and many other news outlets.
He is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, including And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle. The book won numerous awards, including the Lincoln Prize, and spent 16 weeks on the Times bestseller list. His book American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.
A skilled orator with a depth of knowledge about politics, religion and current affairs, Meacham has the unique ability to bring history to life and offer historical context to current events and issues impacting Americans’ daily lives.
Meacham’s Spokane presentation will focus on his new book, American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology. A question-and-answer session with Whitworth President Scott McQuilkin will follow the presentation.
The Whitworth President’s Leadership Forum brings distinguished speakers and artists to Spokane, representing a range of voices, perspectives and ideas. Whitworth believes that through purposeful engagement with diverse perspectives, and by examining and refining our beliefs and values, we become equipped to address humanity’s greatest needs.
Guided by this conviction, Whitworth invites individuals who both challenge and inspire our community, encouraging us to think critically and thoughtfully, engage in civil and respectful dialogue, and take meaningful action in the world.
We hope you will join us as we welcome Jon Meacham.
If you have questions about the event, please call 509.777.3732 or email iaevents@whitworth.edu.