Pulitzer-winning biographer Jon Meacham joined Arizona State University President Michael Crow as the first speaker in the fall series “Dialogues for Democracy,” where the two spoke about the past and what they hope for in the future.
The fireside chat took place in ASU’s Mullett Arena, where they discussed Meacham’s most recent book, former presidents and where the political environment of the nation is headed.
ASU’s Institute of Politics hosted the event in a series they hope to encourage strong political discourse between parties.
“We have chosen to be this divided as a nation,” Meacham said as he and Crow commented on today’s political rhetoric.
Meacham’s biographies include various past presidents such as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and George H.W. Bush, someone he says he “grew to love.
He also had a personal relationship with Bush, one of the few subjects he knew personally before writing about.
His book “American Lion” about Andrew Jackson won him a Pulitzer Prize for historical biography. He also has awards from various historical groups and other universities.
The discussion covered the “Past, Present, and Possible” as the nation has reached 250 years. Meacham joked that the nation may not turn 251, but that there was much to celebrate following more than two centuries.
“It drives me crazy when people say that addressing what our nation has gotten wrong is somehow unpatriotic,” he said. “How can we celebrate what we’ve gotten right without knowing what we’ve gotten wrong?”
Crow responded by saying that ASU is working to be a “New American University,” something that he says will be a new way of teaching with American philosophy in mind.
“Here in Arizona we’re one of the younger laboratories of democracy and we’re trying to advance on where we were and building new kinds of institutions because the project is far from over,” Crow said.
Meacham was the first guest in the series. Other speakers include Walter Isaacson, Chuck Todd, McKay Coppins and more.
To register for a speaker or to learn more about the ASU Institute of Politics visit
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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