Jon Balsbaugh joined the Hillsdale College faculty this fall as a visiting assistant professor of education.
Balsbaugh has more than 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. He resigned earlier this year from his position as president of Trinity Schools, a network of private Christian schools of classical education across the country.
“We are really excited to have Professor Balsbaugh join us,” Associate Professor of Education Benjamin Beier said. “He is an excellent teacher who can speak both theoretically and practically on a subject from experience.”
Beier said that Balsbaugh’s previous experience in education will be a valuable asset to the department and the college.
“As we look to prepare future leaders, it helps to have someone who not only knows education, but also someone who has been an educator,” he said.
Balsbaugh said that he first discovered Hillsdale College in 2015 when he visited with his son, Dietrich Balsbaugh ’20, on his campus tour.
“I have long admired Hillsdale’s commitment to the liberal arts, but probably even more, the intellectual community and the quality of its graduates,” Balsbaugh said.
Balsbaugh grew up in western Oregon. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California, in 1995, and his master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1997, writing his thesis on C.S. Lewis’ “Till We Have Faces.” Later that same year, he began teaching at the Trinity School at River Ridge in Eagan, Minnesota.
While at River Ridge, Balsbaugh taught humanities seminars before becoming headmaster in 2009. His courses included classical and Christian seminars for juniors and lectures on the medieval to modern eras for seniors.
Balsbaugh’s accomplishments as headmaster of River Ridge included the establishment of a Christian arts festival and the addition of a sixth grade to the school’s curriculum.
Balsbaugh currently teaches two sections of Classical Logic and Rhetoric at Hillsdale. Next semester, he will teach a one-credit class on The Inklings and Arthurian Tradition, as well as a class on educational administration at the Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Classical Education.
“I love how when you go into class, there are lots of good discussions. Professor Balsbaugh really encourages good class participation,” freshman Nick Rutkoski said. “Especially when it comes to rhetoric, he pulls a lot from personal examples.”
Balsbaugh said he looks forward to making an impact during his time teaching at Hillsdale.
“I would like to be able to pass on something that I’ve learned in my 26 years of working in classical education,” Balsbaugh said. “I’d like to contribute to the intellectual culture.”
