Dear  John,

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.

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 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.

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.

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 its video collection. 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 the page link to others who might be interested in seeing them.
 

Best,

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