Community Lecture Series: John Meacham

by Mike Trussell  |   

Jon Meacham: The Art of Leadership: Lessons from the American Presidency.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Benny Benson 106-Streamingjohn meacham book covers

Jon Meacham will be the second speaker in the UAA College of Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series that Kodiak College will be streaming live on KoC's campus. The lecture series events are free and open to anyone who wants to attend.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham explores what 21st-century leaders across a range of fields can learn from the greatest moments of our shared past. This nonpartisan presentation highlights lessons from Jefferson's pragmatism and JFK's ability to recover from his own mistakes to the management of conflicting egos demonstrated by Reagan and FDR, as well as how George H.W. Bush navigated the end of his presidency. Meacham shows how history can inform the decisions we make every day in roles that demand creative and innovative solutions.

Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian, bestselling author, and one of America's most respected public intellectuals. A sought-after commentator, he frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN, and other national news outlets, where he brings historical perspective to today's political, cultural, and civic issues.

Meacham served as managing editor and later editor of Newsweek from 1998 to 2010. He is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope, American Gospel, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, which won the Pulitzer Prize. His biography of President George H. W. Bush, Destiny and Power, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In addition to his books, Meacham created and narrated the acclaimed History Channel podcasts Hope Through History and It Was Said, exploring pivotal moments and voices that have shaped the American experience. He has appeared in Ken Burns' The Roosevelts: An Intimate History and is a frequent guest on major news and public affairs programs.

Named a "Global Leader for Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum, Meacham is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Through his writing, speaking, and media appearances, he has become one of the nation's leading voices on American history and its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

About the Lectures

UAA College of Arts and Sciences logoThe CAS Community Lecture Series brings the world to Alaska and Alaska to the world. The series showcases speakers with a broad and diverse range of expertise and a deep well of insight. We’ll spotlight the remarkable contributions of national figures, as well as Alaska-based scholars, artists, and culture bearers to gain a better understanding of our state, nation, and the world around us. Please join us as we celebrate knowledge, inspire curiosity, and strengthen the bonds that make our community unique.

Schedule: All lectures start at 7pm in Benny Benson room 106