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September 27, 2017

2017 Annual Dinner — The Value of Fact-Based Research and News

Date: September 27, 2017
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Event Location: Kellogg Center – 219 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824
Come gather with others who value objective public policy research at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing for a reception, research expo, dinner, and panel discussion.

The Citizens Research Council of Michigan’s Public Policy Dinner is being held outside of Southeast Michigan for the first time. The evening features a Keynote Discussion on the value of fact-based research and news from three expert perspectives: 

  • Rochelle Riley is an award-winning columnist, whose column has appeared in the Detroit Free Press since 2000. She is a crusader for better lives for children, adult literacy, government accountability and improved race relations. She is a strong advocate for press freedom around the world and was a 2016 inductee into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
  • Katerina Eva Matsa is a senior researcher at Pew Research Center. She is an expert on journalism and media, specifically the U.S. broadcasting sector, news consumption and politics and the role of technology in news.  She has presented Pew data to to policymakers, media, and other interested stakeholders. Matsa is the author of studies on Searching for news, network and local television, political polarization and media habits, Millennials and news and long-form reading on mobile devices.
  • Ron Fournier is the publisher and editor of Crain’s Detroit Business. He has worked at Atlantic Magazine, the National Journal, and as Washington bureau chief at the Associated Press (AP). He will serve as the moderator for what is sure to be a lively panel discussion. 
Ron Fournier
Katerina Matsa Rochelle Riley Ron Fournier


We’re also pleased to be honoring Paul Hillegonds, with our first Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. Public Service Award during the program. Hillegonds is being recognized for his many contributions to Michigan as a legislator and civic leader.

Paul Hillegonds

A fact tank can’t run on empty or fumes. Help support better policy decisions and better government in Michigan by supporting this annual event. Your contribution helps Citizens Research Council to continue providing the trusteddeep-diveunbiasedhigh-quality and impactful policy research Michigan needs.

Tickets are $150. They may be purchased individually or as a full table of eight seats ($1,200) or a half table of four seats ($600). Excluding the cost of dinner and drinks, each ticket includes a tax deductible donation to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, a nonprofit 501(c)(3).

(Interested in sponsoring this prestigious event? Please contact Sharon Martin at
smartin@crcmich.org or call 734-542-8001 for details.)

Event Agenda:

  • 5:30 PM – Registration, Research Expo showcasing current research, and reception featuring a hosted bar
  • 6:30 PM – Plated Dinner
  • 7:10 PM – Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. Public Service Award Presentation to Paul Hillegonds
  • 7:30 PM – Panel Discussion with and Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley and Pew Research Center senior researcher Katerina Matsa, moderated by Ron Fournier, publisher and editor of Crain’s Detroit Business

                                   Register Now!

September 27, 2017

2017 Annual Dinner — The Value of Fact-Based Research and News

Date: September 27, 2017
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Event Location: Kellogg Center – 219 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824
Come gather with others who value objective public policy research at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing for a reception, research expo, dinner, and panel discussion.

The Citizens Research Council of Michigan’s Public Policy Dinner is being held outside of Southeast Michigan for the first time. The evening features a Keynote Discussion on the value of fact-based research and news from three expert perspectives: 

  • Rochelle Riley is an award-winning columnist, whose column has appeared in the Detroit Free Press since 2000. She is a crusader for better lives for children, adult literacy, government accountability and improved race relations. She is a strong advocate for press freedom around the world and was a 2016 inductee into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
  • Katerina Eva Matsa is a senior researcher at Pew Research Center. She is an expert on journalism and media, specifically the U.S. broadcasting sector, news consumption and politics and the role of technology in news.  She has presented Pew data to to policymakers, media, and other interested stakeholders. Matsa is the author of studies on Searching for news, network and local television, political polarization and media habits, Millennials and news and long-form reading on mobile devices.
  • Ron Fournier is the publisher and editor of Crain’s Detroit Business. He has worked at Atlantic Magazine, the National Journal, and as Washington bureau chief at the Associated Press (AP). He will serve as the moderator for what is sure to be a lively panel discussion. 
Ron Fournier
Katerina Matsa Rochelle Riley Ron Fournier


We’re also pleased to be honoring Paul Hillegonds, with our first Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. Public Service Award during the program. Hillegonds is being recognized for his many contributions to Michigan as a legislator and civic leader.

Paul Hillegonds

A fact tank can’t run on empty or fumes. Help support better policy decisions and better government in Michigan by supporting this annual event. Your contribution helps Citizens Research Council to continue providing the trusteddeep-diveunbiasedhigh-quality and impactful policy research Michigan needs.

Tickets are $150. They may be purchased individually or as a full table of eight seats ($1,200) or a half table of four seats ($600). Excluding the cost of dinner and drinks, each ticket includes a tax deductible donation to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, a nonprofit 501(c)(3).

(Interested in sponsoring this prestigious event? Please contact Sharon Martin at
smartin@crcmich.org or call 734-542-8001 for details.)

Event Agenda:

  • 5:30 PM – Registration, Research Expo showcasing current research, and reception featuring a hosted bar
  • 6:30 PM – Plated Dinner
  • 7:10 PM – Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. Public Service Award Presentation to Paul Hillegonds
  • 7:30 PM – Panel Discussion with and Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley and Pew Research Center senior researcher Katerina Matsa, moderated by Ron Fournier, publisher and editor of Crain’s Detroit Business

                                   Register Now!


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