We're reaching the rising generation with your help, John.

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Dear
John,
Each summer, the Kirk Center welcomes groups of interns from Michigan public policy organizations for an intellectual retreat to focus on first principles. This July, we hosted a promising group of interns first from the Acton Institute ([link removed]) and then from the Mackinac Center ([link removed]) .

I’d like to give you a glimpse into the recent seminar held on July 30th. That morning, interns from the Mackinac Center gathered in Russell’s library to explore “The Essence of Conservatism.” The seminar began with a talk by Dr. Jason Jewell of Faulkner University, who focused on the canons of conservatism as described in The Conservative Mind. He invited the students to choose canons with which they struggled or perhaps disagreed and then explained those in greater depth. Several students asked questions about contemporary trends among conservatives, and Dr. Jewell provided analysis and context for current conservative debates with reference to past intra-conservative arguments.
Interns from the Mackinac Center gather with Kirk Center Fellows and speakers.

Following a coffee break during which interns explored the library building and conversed with the Wilbur Fellows in residence, we reconvened for a talk by Gleaves Whitney, the newly-appointed Executive Director of The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Gleaves spoke on the topic of “Five Cities of Modernity,” based largely on The Roots of American Order ([link removed]) .

As it was a beautiful summer day, we walked over to the house for lunch, where I fielded questions about the house and how hosting students here for seminars in Mecosta was the beginning of the Center’s programs.

The afternoon session kept the format lively with a panel discussion on “Culture and Conservatism.” Dr. Jewell was joined on the panel by James Matthew Wilson, a former Wilbur Fellow at the Kirk Center who recently accepted the position of Founding Director of the Master of Fine Arts program ([link removed]) in creative writing at the University of Saint Thomas, Houston, as well as by Jared Zimmerer, who was visiting the Center to complete research for his dissertation, but whose day job is as director of the Word on Fire Institute ([link removed]) .

Dr. Jason Jewell addresses Mackinac Center interns at our Intern Semniar.

I found it interesting that the kind of questions that the interns ask are quite different than in previous years, due in part to the progressive cultural rollout over the past year. They are seeking to understand and draw upon the well of conservative thought to adapt to current crises with knowledge and clarity. Given the solid intellectual formation and practical experience of the speakers, they were able to guide the interns by principles and patterns that will aid them both in their policy work and personal conversations.

The day proved to be a highlight both for us and them. Interns’ comments included that it “put things I understood on an intrinsic level into words” and that the topic “provided fantastic insights into elements we face every day in our society and why.”

Before starting the hour’s drive back to their respective places, the interns and staff often stop at the Mecosta Book Gallery, a used bookstore a few blocks away. This has become a fun tradition to round out a memorable day. Interns from Acton Institute (pictured below) heard from Senior Fellows Gleaves Whitney and Dr. Bruce Frohnen before making new acquisitions at Mecosta Book Gallery, and enjoying Mecosta's Coffee & Cream ([link removed]) .

For those of you who aren’t able to visit the Center, however, I’m happy to say that the Kirk Center website has just added a new page dedicated to itsvideo collection ([link removed]) . It features high-quality videos produced by the Center’s communications team; recent webinars with authors hosted by The University Bookman; and footage from the archives of interviews with Roger Scruton, Fred Thompson, and other notable British and American conservatives.

I hope you enjoy viewing the Center’s video offerings and please pass along thepage link ([link removed]) to others who might be interested in seeing them.

Best,

Annette Y. Kirk, President
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal
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