The Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series (CAALS) began at Marygrove College in 1988 to bring nationally recognized writers—particularly African American authors—to campus and the Detroit community. Supported by college leadership, faculty, creative fundraising efforts, foundations, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the series grew into a major cultural institution. In 2005, it was endowed by Dr. Lillian and Don Bauder and renamed the Bauder Lecture. The success of CAALS also inspired Defining Detroit, a companion series celebrating the city’s cultural legacy. Together, these programs have hosted some of the nation’s most acclaimed writers and artists, including MacArthur Fellows, Pulitzer and National Book Award winners, U.S. poets laureate, and a presidential inaugural poet. After Marygrove College closed in 2019, CAALS continued as a Legacy Program of the Marygrove Conservancy.