As you may know, the Russell Kirk Center’s flagship program is its residential fellowship. The Wilbur Fellows Program is dedicated to encouraging study in various academic fields and in journalism by renewing an interest in what Russell Kirk called the cannon of humane letters, containing the principles of our cultural and political order. It is directed toward students and scholars who are pursuing studies in the thought of Russell Kirk or subjects related to his broad interests.

The program provides housing to Fellows who will live in Mecosta for a semester or summer. It is open to any student who has completed a bachelor’s degree, but preference is given to students who are working on a master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, or to scholars on sabbatical. The Center’s academic community also features recurring seminars for fellows to present on their projects.

The Kirk Center is currently accepting applications for 2021. If you are interested in the fellowship program, or know someone who might be, please see the Center’s website page for more information and application instructions. Should you have questions about your eligibility, please email [email protected].

Alumni from the program include numerous teachers at the secondary and university levels, editors and journalists, business and legal professionals, and religious leaders. One early Wilbur Fellow recently wrote us to express the importance of his studies here to his subsequent work and teaching:
 

“The reading I did at the Kirk Center helped me understand English literature as a tradition. It paid huge dividends down the road. In a way, I’ve been trading on the intellectual capital I acquired at Piety Hill for many years.”

Through this and its other educational programs, the Kirk Center provides the setting, world class conservative library, and literary community that many cannot find in higher education. In this way, the Center Fellowship offers a haven of higher learning for future teachers and writers seeking to hone their skills, complete an important project, and, ultimately, do their part to redeem the time.

Sincerely, 

Wesley Reynolds, Director
The Wilbur Fellows Program

P.S. As 2020 draws to an end, we’re especially grateful for your continued support of the Kirk Center’s Wilbur Fellows Program. By joining our 25th Anniversary campaign you help ensure that many more scholars share in this transformative experience.