The Great Lakes Culture Program's central mission involves rediscovery, integration, and research to recover
the region's distinctive history and culture.The cornerstone of this function is the Program's unique gatherings program, which draws scholars and humanists from many disciplines and interests into satellite networks that produce programs and develop regional resources.

The Program's Gatherings Program is a central network for scholars, teachers, writers, public intellectuals, and researchers seeking contact and interaction on Great Lakes Culture. The gatherings will extend both internet and face-to-face services to their members, to generate new research, scholarship, and communications beyond the brick and mortar of universities and cultural organizations.