Dear  John,

On May 31, the Kirk Center will hold an event featuring a conversation with Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, in Grand Rapids, in honor of the 30th anniversary of Russell Kirk’s popular book, The Politics of Prudence, and to announce a new Kirk Center program.

Mike Pence is a long-standing admirer of Dr. Kirk’s works, having met him in Columbus, Indiana, in 1993. Kirk was a speaker for the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, Pence’s then employer. During their time together, Pence asked Kirk what it meant to be a conservative given the current varieties in the American political landscape at that time and Kirk promised to send him a copy of his book on that subject.

As Pence recalled:

Later, when he was chairman of the Republican Study Committee in 2007, Pence invited Annette Kirk and me to speak to its members. At his suggestion, we gave each of them a copy of The Conservative Mind and I spoke a bit about that landmark book. Annette gave a well-received talk about “Life with Russell Kirk.” When speaking to college student audiences today, Mike Pence takes the opportunity to tell them why they should read Russell Kirk.

Recently, when Vice President Pence asked how he could help the Kirk Center, I proposed an evening of fellowship and discussion on conservative principles, education, and championing the Permanent Things. President Emerita Annette Kirk and I are delighted that he agreed to participate in a conversation with Betsy DeVos and me on the theme “What Do Conservatives Believe?”

It bears clarifying that this is not a political event, of course, but an opportunity to bring to light the mission and work of the Kirk Center, just an hour north of Grand Rapids. I am particularly looking forward to sharing with you a new and much-needed initiative. But that will wait for another letter. 

In the meantime, all of us at the Kirk Center invite you to gather with us on Wednesday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. for a wonderful evening in Grand Rapids. Print invitations have been sent by mail so if you are currently on the Center’s physical mailing list, you should receive one this week. If you receive the e-letter only, individual tickets may be purchased here.

I would like to thank Governor John Engler for agreeing to lead the Host Committee, which is currently in formation. More information about host committee levels, as well as sponsorship opportunities, is available on this page. Should you be interested in the host committee, please contact Emily Corwin, Director of Events and Program Outreach, at [email protected] 

Thirty years after meeting Russell Kirk, Mike Pence will join with the Kirk Center for an evening conversation on the Permanent Things. I hope you can join us too.

Kind regards,