TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) announces the launch of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture, a new annual program championing integrity in journalism and the essential role of a free press in democratic society. The lecture is made possible through a generous legacy gift from the late Robert “Bob” Giles and Nancy Giles, whose lives and work reflected a deep commitment to rigorous, ethical journalism and a compassionate worldview steeped in curiosity.
“Our parents always had a wide-angle lens of the world,” shared Megan Giles Cooney, daughter of Bob and Nancy. “Each of us still carries that sense of curiosity and respect for other cultures that our parents embedded in us. When our father led the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, that same expansive worldview found its fullest expression. He invested in expanding opportunities for international fellows, recognizing that a truly global program required a diversity of voices. Our mother embraced that mission with characteristic warmth, helping trailing spouses and children settle into their year in Cambridge. Growing that international dimension of the Nieman Program brought them both tremendous joy — and kept their eyes, and ours, wide open to the world.”
The inaugural IAF event on May 28, 2026, generally timed to commemorate United Nations World Press Freedom Day, will feature acclaimed journalist Deborah Amos and serve as a tribute to The Giles’ enduring impact on journalism and public life.
“Bob and Nancy Giles believed deeply in the power of education to enlighten, connect, and strengthen communities,” said Alexander Tank, Director of the International Affairs Forum at NMC. “This annual lecture honors their legacy through thoughtful, fact-based dialogue at a time when journalism practice and democratic integrity are being challenged.”
Bob Giles, who served on the IAF Advisory Board and the Editorial Board of the Traverse City Record-Eagle, was an impactful figure in American journalism. As curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University for 15 years, he helped shape generations of journalists and championed the highest standards of reporting and press freedom. His earlier leadership as editor and publisher of the Detroit News earned national recognition for journalistic excellence via his 2nd Pulitzer Prize. Giles’ first Pulitzer was awarded for his team coverage of the Kent State University shootings in 1970.
Nancy Giles, a psychologist and advocate for mental health and education, was an equally vital partner in this work, known for her intellectual engagement, compassion, and steadfast support of journalism’s public mission. Together, their legacy reflects a shared belief in truth, accountability, and an informed civic life.
About the event & speaker
Veteran international correspondent Deborah Amos brings decades of reporting from global conflict zones to northern Michigan for this inaugural lecture. A longtime voice on National Public Radio, Amos has covered the Middle East, migration, and the human consequences of war with depth and clarity. Amos’ work exemplifies the courage, rigor, and integrity at the heart of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture. In conversation, Amos will explore the evolving challenges facing journalists today—from disinformation and declining trust to increasing threats against press freedom worldwide.
Amos will be in conversation with Elizabeth Jensen, Knight-Wallace Great Lakes News Fellow 2025-’26. Jensen is the co-chair of Press Forward Northern Michigan, an organization working to support local journalism in the region. A longtime media beat reporter, Jensen is an expert on U.S. public media and served as NPR’s fifth public editor/ombudsman. In that role, she represented the interests of the public in the newsroom, and created a series of live events where NPR journalists discussed their newsgathering processes and ethical decisions.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. reception | 7 p.m. hybrid event
Location: Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City
Format: In person with online livestream available.
Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door, $10 livestream. Open to the public. Free for students and educators. Tickets & details at tciaf.com
Sponsors & Support
International Affairs Forum programming at Northwestern Michigan College is supported by gifts from community members and sponsors. The Giles Press Freedom Lecture is made possible through the generosity of the Giles family and supporters who believe in the vital role of journalism in sustaining democracy. IAF thanks the following for their support of its 32nd season:
Central Michigan University | IAF Gold Sponsor
Grand Traverse Pie Company | IAF Gold Sponsor
Thompson Retractor | IAF Gold Sponsor
IAF Members | Across northern Michigan & across the country
Learn more about event sponsorship and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support
Release date: May 7. 2026
For more information:
Alexander Tank
Director, International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
atank@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1844