What is one memory from your childhood that stands out to you? I was a boy scout and used to spend a lot of time with our Scout Troop in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. One memory that really jumps out at me was that we saw a mother bear and her cubs and all at once we were happy and terrified. We had to have people stay up all night watching to make sure
the bear stayed away from our food and the camp. If you could change one event in history, what would it be? When Julius Caesar was assassinated, Brutus turned to Cicero and said, “Become the dictator and save Rome.” Cicero said, “The Republic will save itself.” That didn’t happen. I would want to tell Cicero, “You’ve really got to do this.” What is one thing you didn’t learn until you were an adult? How much parents love their children. It is so deep, so powerful, and so profound that it really overwhelms you. Who is one person you’ve always looked up to? I’ve always admired Brad Birzer. If you won $1,000,000, what would you spend it on? I love to travel, so Mrs. Calvert and I would spend a good amount of time in Italy and Greece.What is one food you couldn’t live without? Peanut butter. I am an addict of peanut butter. Love it. It’s the food of the gods. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I was in seminary training to be a pastor and it was clear I wasn’t supposed to do that. My church history professors said, “Ken, you love the ancient world. You should do that.” That was the best advice I’ve ever had and without it I wouldn’t be at Hillsdale College. What is your favorite Bible verse? Matthew 28:17. “They worshipped Him, but some doubted.” That’s the Church; that’s Christianity from day one to the present. They worshipped Him, but they were also imperfect. But He still says, “Go.” If you had to live one day in the life of any historical character, who would you choose? I would like to have been in the Senate of Rome when Cato the Elder, for the first time, said, “Carthago delenda est.” Carthage must be destroyed. What is one book you think everyone should read? Apart from the Bible? “On the Incarnation,” by St. Athanasius. He also happens to be my patron saint. Also, read it with the C.S. Lewis introduction, “On Reading Old Books.” What is one trend from the 80s that you wish would come back? I wish that they would build Volkswagen Beetles again. I had one. Those should come back. What is the most memorable place you’ve visited? Number one would be the Church of the Annunciation in Israel, at the exact place where Gabriel announced to Mary. There is a quote on the wall, “Here the Word was made flesh.” That blows my mind. The second place would be the Acropolis in Athens. It’s a distant second, but I still love that place and have been there many times. What is the most memorable gift you’ve ever received? I got married the same week as my 28th birthday. Best gift ever. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you? That I’d like to have the brains of Professor Garnjobst, the focus of Mike Roberts, and the cool Austrian accent of Al Philipp.
