Whitworth University, in partnership with The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages Book Club, hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham as the featured speaker for the fall 2026 President’s Leadership Forum.

Whitworth President Scott McQuilkin and Spokesman-Review Executive Editor Rob Curley will kick off the forum and introduce Meacham on stage. Meacham’s presentation will focus on his new bestseller, "American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union." The author’s presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with President McQuilkin.

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 other news outlets.