Freedom Seminar

Colleagues:

The Northwood University Freedom Seminar is an annual three and one-half day symposium on free market economics led by national and international academic and business leaders. The purpose of the Freedom Seminar is to investigate current business and economic topics of utmost interest to the academic and business communities. This year marks our 30th seminar and the theme is Freedom, Enterprise, and Community. Students can attend for academic credit. Many friends of Northwood attend for the intellectual stimulation provided as well as the opportunity to see old acquaintances and interact with our students.

The topics presented by each speaker are thought provoking, timely, and intriguing. Ideas as well as solutions regarding current socio-economic issues are brought to the podium and shared with the audience. The precepts of The Northwood Idea are applied to what is happening in the world today.

For students, the Freedom Seminar can be life changing. What they have learned in classes about The Northwood Idea comes to life as the speakers discuss how their industries address complex real-world issues. Kyle Tertzag, BBA 2007, a University College student from Allen Park, Michigan, found his attendance at the seminar was the catalyst for him to run for City Council. As an elected official, he is able to bring an understanding of free enterprise to his local government.

David McDonald, a current UC student at the Louisville center, wrote to Dr. Dale Matchek, Economics Chair on the Michigan campus and one of the seminar’s organizers, after last year’s event. The seminar gave him the opportunity to meet the people of Northwood. “I felt a part of something wonderful,” he told Dr. Matchek. “Meeting key faculty, staff, and supporters of Northwood allowed me to see the depth and breadth of Northwood and the impact it has within industry and commerce.”
John Repovsch, a senior from Tucson, Arizona, is attending for the second time. He likes the substance of the talks. Last year he found the emphasis on ethics to be highly applicable to almost every life circumstance. “The seminar brought home for me that ethics are the foundation for everything everyone does. It starts with me. Personal ethics drive organizational ethics.”

That’s it. That’s what we do. That’s what we want.

The Michigan admissions department is doing something innovative this year in conjunction with the Freedom Seminar. Over 130 high school students who are active in business programs and clubs will be attending a luncheon and a Freedom Seminar session. These students have been identified by teachers and counselors as having the potential to make Northwood University their chosen college. What a wonderful way to expose them to the ideas and people of Northwood. The Michigan admissions department is to be commended for thinking “outside the box” and capitalizing on the recruitment opportunity presented at the Freedom Seminar.

More information about this year’s seminar can be accessed at www.northwood.edu/freedomseminar. I invite you to check out the link and explore the topics and events of the weekend. Perhaps it will inspire you to join us at the 31st Annual Freedom Seminar next year.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)

pretty@northwood.edu