Through the years, Hillsdale College has hosted visiting professors such as Mark Steyn, Sir Martin Gilbert, and Victor Davis Hanson. Now, there’s a chance a former president might join the ranks.
Following his Oct. 10 speech at the Rebirth of Liberty and Learning Gala, former President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus said he would consider teaching at Hillsdale in the future, but would be busy founding an institution during the 2013-2014 school year.
According to Provost David Whalen, the conversations between Klaus and the college administration have not progressed to the point of determining a set salary it would pay Klaus or the amount of time he would be on staff.
“It is not unusual for Dr. Arnn to explore ways of securing talented and distinguished people to come for a spell to teach. I am not aware of any ‘struck deals’ with President Klaus, but I am sure he would have much to teach, and our students much to learn from him,” Whalen said.
Hillsdale has approached Klaus on several different occasions about him coming to teach at the college, College President Larry Arnn said.
While Klaus has expressed interest in teaching a course at the college in politics, history, or economics, he is also currently founding an institution based in the Czech Republic, Whalen said. Klaus hopes that his institution will promote liberty and free market economics, sharply contrasting current policies embraced by European Union leaders, namely German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“I am trying to limit my overseas travels right now, but I do hope to visit this country, and especially your college, more than I have the past few years. I like it here,” Klaus said.
As a result, Klaus is busy and unable to be away for the upcoming school year, but could very well join the Hillsdale staff sometime in the future, according to Arnn.
Should he decide to join the college staff as a visiting professor, Klaus would be continuing a long line of distinguished visiting professors from the tops of their respective fields.
For example, Mark Steyn, an internationally-renowned author and columnist, has taught a two-week seminar for journalism students each spring.
In addition, the military historian and author Victor Davis Hanson has offered an annual month-long seminar for students interested in the history of war.
Finally, Sir Martin Gilbert, a leading 21st century historian and Winston Churchill biographer, has given two-week seminars on Churchill for students interested in politics during the fall semester.
There is much speculation among professors and students about which type of course Klaus would teach and whether or not he would be able to do so on an annual basis in the future.
In the meantime, Whalen said the college will actively continue its communication with Klaus, in hopes that the relationship between Hillsdale and the former president will continue to grow.
“I am going to give him some help with his organization and will therefore be in touch with him from time to time,” Arnn said.
