Hauenstein Center at GVSU

06/05/2026

After his presidency, George Washington didn’t exactly retire fully. In January 1797, his new Scottish farm manager, James Anderson, suggested he start making rye and corn whiskey at Mount Vernon. Washington wasn’t sure at first claiming he knew nothing about the business, but Anderson’s expertise and the booming market convinced him to give it a try.

Washington had a stone still house and a small malt house built near the gristmill on Dogue Creek, about two miles from the Mansion, with five copper stills, boilers, tubs, and wooden troughs to cool the mash with creek water. At first he wanted it closer to the Mansion to keep an eye on things, but eventually he agreed water access was more important. The distillery became Mount Vernon’s economic hub, complete with a merchant mill, cooper’s shop, miller’s house, and livestock pens. Anderson even moved his home to the heart of the action. By spring 1798, the distillery was running full steam, and in 1799 it produced nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey across 80+ transactions, worth $7,674.

Source: https://parade.com/1099930/marynliles/history-facts/ https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/washington-s-distillery

06/01/2026

“I didn't become ready before I stepped up, I became ready because I did”

CLA fellow Shakanah Harlan shared her leadership minute about the power of stepping into leadership, when things can still feel uncertain.

Leadership doesn’t wait for readiness, it begins the moment you decide to step up.

05/29/2026

Founder Ralph Hauenstein went to Central High School in Grand Rapids, where he ran track and played on the football team. It was on the gridiron that he ran into the future 38th president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, who played on a rival team. They would become lifelong friends.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Suitably called “The Highest Court in the Land,” the U.S. Supreme Court’s basketball court sits on the fifth floor, right above the famous courtroom on the fourth floor. What started as a spare room for storing journals in the 1940s was transformed into a workout space for courthouse employees. Wooden hoops and backboards were later added, turning it into the mini-court we know today.

Over the years, the court has seen clerks, off-duty police officers, and even Supreme Court Justices like Byron White and Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist shoot hoops. Sandra Day O’Connor also used the space, but for yoga! Many other employees use the adjacent full-service gym and weight room, and some current justices are known to lift weights during the day. A sign at the court reminds players to avoid playing during court days. While the Highest Court isn’t open to the public, if you listen carefully in the courtroom, you just might catch the squeak of sneakers and the dribble of a basketball from above.

Source: https://www.readersdigest.ca/culture/facts-about-america/

05/21/2026

“If freedom is the American dream, then leadership is how we keep it alive. By using our influence to empower others to do the same.”

CLA fellow Evan Jackson shared his leadership minute, about the connection between freedom and leadership.

How will you empower others to be a leader?

05/15/2026

Before becoming president, Abraham Lincoln was known for his wrestling skills. He racked up an estimated 300 matches with only one reported loss. One of his most famous wins came in 1831, when he defeated local tough guy Jack Armstrong in New Salem, Illinois. Stories like these helped build his reputation for strength and character creating something that may have even boosted his image during the 1860 election.

Source: https://parade.com/1099930/marynliles/history-facts/

05/13/2026

“Civic engagement provides us with the opportunity to interact and give back to the communities that shaped us”

CLA Lead Fellow Lola Robar shared her leadership minute explaining the importance of community engagement for democracy.

What are you doing to show up for your community?

05/09/2026

Happy Birthday to one of our founders Peter C. Cook!

05/08/2026

Did you know the first known civics textbook was written in the 4th century BCE?

Long before modern society, Aristotle was already studying how governments work. In Politics, he looked at over 150 city-states and argued that the purpose of government is to serve the common good and help people live happy, virtuous lives.

He also introduced the idea that humans are naturally “political,” meaning we’re meant to live in communities and participate in civic life. While some of his views reflect the limitations of his time, his work still laid the foundation for how we think about government, citizenship, and leadership today.

Source: 30 Facts About Civics - Facts.net