Feb. 9, 2026 “Great Britain was America’s first enemy. The U.S. fought a war to gain independence from Britain. Now the nations are allies. How does that happen? How do former enemies become friends?” These are the kinds of questions that can launch a career. Just ask Dr. Robert M. Hendershot, professor of history at Grand Rapids Community College.  “During my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, I took a course about the historical changes to British identity, and one about the Vietnam War,” Hendershot said. “Together, those classes made me curious about how America’s relationship with Great Britain changed after the Revolutionary War. Ultimately, I ended up focusing my Ph.D. dissertation on Anglo-American relations because the topic is so fascinating.”  Dr. Hendershot has recently co-authored a book entitled  The Ford Administration and Anglo-American Relations: Re-Valuing an Interim Presidency , that is due out later this year. In the book, he and his co-authors — Cardiff University’s Steve Marsh and the University of Bristol’s Tia Culley — explore the role President Gerald Ford played in strengthening ties to Great Britain during the period in which America celebrated its bicentennial (1976).  “Ford is often dismissed as a placeholder president after Nixon, but he actually made a significant impact on foreign policy,” Hendershot said. “The U.S. was reeling after the Watergate scandal. It was just emerging from the Vietnam War and facing an economic crisis. Great Britain also found itself in dire economic straits and driven toward closer continental ties through the European Community. It was a turbulent time.”  Although the book is academic in nature, Hendershot says he and his co-authors are thrilled to be helping design an exhibit at the  Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum , due to open in May 2026, that will feature the themes of the book in a more publicly-consumable way. “The exhibit, entitled ‘Waltzing with the Queen,’ will help visitors think more critically about international relationships,” Hendershot said. “What benefit is there to cooperation? How does a leader embrace relationships that advance strategic interests while aligning with shared values? How can friendship endure in the wake of seismic challenges? These are timeless questions, and America’s 250th birthday is a perfect time to reflect on them.”  One of the more tangible themes of the book focuses on how the media and celebrity culture influenced the Anglo-American relationship.  “During Ford’s presidency, America fascination with British pop culture continued to expand,” Hendershot said. “President Ford’s sons invited British rock stars George Harrison and Peter Frampton to the White House on separate occasions. Queen Elizabeth II also made a state visit, which fed America’s growing interest in the monarchy. In fact, a photo of her dancing with President Ford inspired the title for the exhibit. Buckingham Palace has graciously agreed to loan that gown so it can be on display. That’s just one of the many fascinating artifacts that museum visitors will be able to experience through this exhibit.” Although the book was written largely for specialists and graduate students, Hendershot has used it to enrich his GRCC students’ classroom experiences as well.  “Last year, the students in my History of U.S. Foreign Relations class had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book and then design a museum exhibit based on the major themes,” Hendershot said. “They found it to be a challenging and rewarding experience. One of my co-authors, Dr. Culley, did the same thing. We have actually been able to incorporate some of those ideas as we worked with the museum on the exhibit.”  As Professor Hendershot looks back on his own history, he is grateful not only for GRCC’s cosponsorship of ‘Waltzing with the Queen,’ but also for the opportunities that GRCC has provided over many years.  “I came to GRCC right out of high school,” Hendershot said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a career. Rather than starting out at a four-year college, I explored a variety of subjects right here. I found that history classes continued to draw my interest. After earning an associate degree, I was able to continue my studies at MSU and beyond. I knew that as a history major, I would be attending grad school and ultimately would teach. When I had the opportunity to come back to GRCC as a faculty member in 2007, it felt very much full circle.” Photo Caption:  President Gerald R. Ford and Queen Elizabeth II dance at the state dinner in her honor, The White House, July 7, 1976, Courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration.