TFAS Public Policy Fellows Explore The Roots of American Order at Piety Hill
From October 15–18, the Russell Kirk Center welcomed twenty Public Policy Fellows from The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) for a thought-provoking seminar on Russell Kirk’s magisterial The Roots of American Order.
The seminar was led by Dr. David Corey, Director of Baylor in Washington and Professor of Political Science in the Baylor University Honors Program. He was joined by Dr. Bradley Birzer, Professor of History at Hillsdale College, who co-led the discussions. The weekend opened with remarks by Michael Lucchese, associate editor of Law & Liberty. Drawing on Kirk’s thought, participants discussed the many aspects of our Western and American heritage that are worthy of gratitude and preservation.
Participants arrived from institutions including Advancing American Freedom, The Heritage Foundation, the Hudson Institute, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
More Highlights & News
Participants Explore The American Political Novel
This July, the Russell Kirk Center’s new School of Conservative Studies hosted its first in-person seminar, “The American Political Novel,” welcoming a select group of scholars and professionals to Mecosta. This program highlighted the intersection of politics,...
Mackinac Center Interns Explore the Conservative Disposition at the Russell Kirk Center
The Russell Kirk Center recently welcomed interns from the Mackinac Center for their annual intellectual retreat, this year centered on the theme “Russell Kirk and the Conservative Disposition.” Joining them were two distinguished scholars whose expertise bridged both...
Acton Interns Explore the Conservative Disposition at 2025 Kirk Center Retreat
The Russell Kirk Center welcomed Acton Institute interns for their annual intellectual retreat, focusing on the topic of “Russell Kirk and the Conservative Disposition.” To help the student participants deepen their understanding of the meaning of conservatism, they...
Recapping our First School of Conservative Studies Conference: Prospects for Anglo-American Conservatism in the Tradition of Russell Kirk and Roger Scruton
On June 27–28, 2025, the Russell Kirk Center welcomed more than 130 participants and twenty-two speakers from around the world for a very special conference, “Prospects for an Anglo- American Conservatism in the Tradition of Russell Kirk and Roger...
“If the goal of Kirk’s work and the retreat itself was ever in part to think of conservatism as a way of life rather than an ideology, I can think of no better practice than what we embarked on at the Kirk Center in Mecosta. […] At the heart of conserving the permanent things is first to find gratitude and to be able to recognize beauty and what is worth conserving. Both gratitude and beauty are present at the Kirk Center, but perhaps more importantly, the Center and its programs stir the soul to be capable of taking those things with them.”
“I learned so much from these discussions. Talking through the content with my peers and the professors helped me crystallize my own ideas about our nation’s past, and where it might be headed.”
“The Kirk Center was extremely hospitable and homey. I felt valued in my time spent there. The environment and the staff made our group feel as though we are a central part of the Kirk Center. Contemplating, discussing, and building friendships in this environment was fruitful. I would greatly encourage anyone with the opportunity to come experience the beauty of the place and be sharpened by the scholarship.”