Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
2026 Conference – Held Virtually via Zoom, March 27, 2026.
Who We Are
The Michigan Academy is a professional academic organization with the mission of supporting research and disseminating knowledge through annual meetings and publishing a quarterly journal of outstanding papers in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. The Academy is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization housed at Alma College.
Our primary activities revolve around two key initiatives: the organization of an annual regional academic conference and the publication of our interdisciplinary academic journal, the Michigan Academician. This conference, typically hosted by one of our member institutions each March, serves as a dynamic hub for intellectual exchange and collaboration. Together, these initiatives embody our commitment to fostering academic excellence and knowledge within the region.
Each year a different one of our member institutions hosts our annual, regional, multi-disciplinary, conference. The conference date is determined by the host institution and is always on a Friday, usually in March.
About Us
About Us
About Us
Established in 1894, is one the oldest state academies. Housed at Alma College, the Academy is an IRS designated 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that is distinct among scholarly organizations for the range of disciplines (over 30) offered.
History and Constitution
History and Constitution
History and Constitution
History
The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters has a stated mission to “disseminate research and diffuse knowledge.” The organization met yearly in Lansing, East Lansing or Ann Arbor, with the stated purpose of reading and discussing scientific papers and “to forward the scientific [study of the] resources of the state… . ” Charter members regularly advised the State of Michigan on matters ranging from conservation and the preservation of natural species to map making.
In 1921, the Academy became “The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters,” and within months, the Academy blossomed with several new sections devoted to humanities disciplines and the organization took on the interdisciplinary character that it retains to this day. (Note: only two other state academies include the humanities disciplines.)
Today, the Academy is located at Alma College and is funded primarily from individual and institutional membership fees. Conference registration fees, journal subscriptions and royalties also provide financial support. In 1998, the Academy received a small endowment from Judge Avern Cohn for a prize for the most outstanding paper presented on the topic of law and public policy.
Constitution
Michigan Academy’s Constitution was most recently updated and ratified in September 2005.
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
President
Reem Abou-samra, Independent Scholar
President-Elect
Ben Bennett-Carpenter, Oakland University
Past President
Deirdre Hennebury, University of Michigan
Treasurer
Deirdre Hennebury, University of Michigan
Secretary
Prathim Maya Dora-Laskey, Alma College
Alma College Representative
Michael Selmon, Alma College
Academician Co-Editors
Alice Horning, Oakland University, retired
David Dornbos, Calvin University
Megan McCullen, Wayne State University
Members-at-Large
Term ending September 2026
Gary Lange, Saginaw Valley State University
Prathim Maya Dora-Laskey, Alma College
Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya, Lawrence Technological University
Robert McTyre, Spring Arbor University
Eric Washington, Calvin University
Term ending September 2027
Mauren Thum, University of Michigan-Flint
Shannon Timmons, Lawrence Technological University
Aby Tehranipour, Eastern Michigan University
Term ending September 2028
Aleksandra Kuzmanov, Lawrence Technological University
Diane Baclawski, Michigan State University, retired
Ben Bennett-Carpenter, Oakland University
Mazin Al Hamando, Lawrence Technological University
Paula Lauren, Lawrence Technological University