Oakland University names new Public Policy Series in Honor of Trustee and Honigman Government Relations Veteran Dennis Muchmore

Inaugural Event Features Former Michigan Governors Rick Snyder and James Blanchard on Monday, September 18

Press Release

Oakland University recently announced the school is honoring Honigman LLP Government Relations and Regulatory Advisor Dennis Muchmore by naming a new Public Policy Series after him. The annual series is presented by the Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement.

The newly established series will serve as an annual event that addresses critical issues facing the region, state, or nation. The initiative aims to foster meaningful discussions and provide valuable insights for public policy.

Muchmore is Co-Leader of the Government Relations and Regulatory Practice Group at Honigman LLP based in the firm’s Lansing office. Prior to joining the firm, he served as chief of staff to former Governor Rick Snyder and managed the issues of the 19 state departments and some 47,000 employees. His 40 years in and out of government in a variety of roles and challenges give him extensive knowledge of the inner workings of government. As a professional public administrator with great respect for public employees on all levels, he continues to encourage and mentor young people in the pursuit of training and expertise. Earlier in his career, he was a principal at the Lansing lobbying firm Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates.

"Dennis is a legend in political circles and in the field of public policy in Lansing and across Michigan,” said Honigman Chairman and CEO David Foltyn. “Dennis has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to government relations and public service and unparalleled expertise throughout his career. This recognition is a testament to his leadership and efforts in helping to shape meaningful policies in Michigan. It is an honor to have Dennis on the Honigman team and collaborate with Oakland University.”

“On behalf of our Oakland University community, I’m so grateful to Bobby and Nancy Schostak for their impactful gift to establish the Dennis Muchmore Public Policy Series,” said Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “What a truly thoughtful and meaningful way to honor our friend, and to celebrate his years of civic service, his contributions to the state of Michigan, and his years as a member of the Oakland University Board of Trustees.”

The inaugural event is scheduled to take place on Monday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Center, 312 Meadow Brook Road, Suite 151, in the Oakland Banquet Rooms on the Oakland University campus in Rochester (location map). Chuck Stokes, WXYZ-TV Editorial and Public Affairs Director and host of Spotlight on the News will moderate a discussion with former Gov. Rick Snyder and former Gov. James Blanchard. The discussion will be focused on the current state of Michigan and national politics, as well as on serving the common good and fostering civility in public discourse. Here is a link to register for the event.

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About Honigman
Honigman LLP is an Am Law 200 full-service, general business law firm with more than 350 attorneys counseling clients on complex issues across the country in Chicago, Michigan (Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing), Washington, D.C. and in our newest wholly owned subsidiary office in Israel. Our lawyers counsel clients on complex issues in more than 60 areas of law. For more information, visit www.honigman.com.

The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) was founded in 2018 with the enthusiastic support of Oakland University’s leadership to be a key force in OU’s community engagement efforts. The Center's work focuses on two main areas: public discourse and civic literacy.

About Oakland University
Oakland University is a doctoral, Carnegie Classification R2 “High Research Activity” university located in Oakland and Macomb counties, Michigan. The main campus is located on 1,443 acres of scenic land in the Southeast Michigan cities of Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills. Oakland University offers bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees and certificate programs, and is dedicated to delivering a distinctive college experience.

Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences (which includes a School of Music, Theatre and Dance), the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and the Schools of Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing, and The Honors College. At Oakland, the student experience is enhanced as students work alongside inspired faculty and community mentors in laboratory, field and corporate workplace settings. Students enjoy small class sizes, countless research and social opportunities, and a high rate of job placement after graduation. This rich campus atmosphere is complete with residence halls, Greek life, Division I athletics and more than 250 student groups that lend to the total college experience. Learn more at www.oakland.edu.