August 18, 2026 - Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will return to Fresno State for an event hosted 
by The Maddy Institute.
The event, “Leadership for a More Perfect Union: Lessons from America at 250,” will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 2, at the Resnick Student Union. Drawing on her study of presidents including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson, Goodwin will explore how leadership, civic courage and a shared sense of purpose have guided America through moments of division and transformation.
“Doris Kearns Goodwin brings a depth of knowledge that can help us better understand our nation’s history and how we can work together toward a more united future,” said Blake Zante, executive director of The Maddy Institute. “We are grateful to Fresno State and Central Valley Community Foundation for their support in making this event possible.”
Goodwin’s return to Fresno State comes a decade after her previous appearance on campus in 2016 and marks an opportunity to bring one of the country’s lead presidential historians back to the San Joaquin Valley.
“Fresno State is proud to welcome Doris Kearns Goodwin back to campus,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “Her return reflects our university’s commitment to creating opportunities for our students and community to learn from distinguished leaders and deepen our knowledge of the history that has shaped our country.”
Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, public speaker, New York Times No. 1 bestselling author and presidential scholar whose work has shaped public understanding of American leadership and democracy for more than five decades. Goodwin is the author of nine critically acclaimed and bestselling works, including “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” which served in part as the basis for Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film “Lincoln.”
Over the decades, Goodwin has served as a consultant and has been interviewed extensively for documentaries on Presidents Johnson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, the Kennedy family, and on Ken Burns’ “The History of Baseball” and “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Doris Kearns Goodwin to our region,” said Ashley Swearengin, president and chief executive officer of the Central Valley Community Foundation. “This conversation provides an invaluable moment for our community to reflect on our shared history as we work together to build a stronger, more connected future.”
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and those interested in attending are encouraged to register at https://tmi-speaker-series-goodwin.eventbrite.com/.
Source: Fresno State
