Hillsdale professors will speak on topics including the holy family, Russell Kirk and T.S. Eliot, and Jonathan Edward’s view of the Atonement at the fourth annual Fireside Lecture Series at Rockwell Lake Lodge in Luther, Michigan.
Friends of the college can attend the series one weekend per month from December through May. According to Director of Guest Relations at Michindoh Conference Center Kris Healy, who develops and facilitates the program, the Fireside Lectures allows friends of the college to experience Hillsdale’s academics and community.
“They’re not long periods of time,” Healy said. “They’re kind of condensed, but they’re absolutely filled with academically enriching information, with really wonderful fellowship with each other, with the best food, and the warmth of the fire.”
Over the course of the weekend, guests enjoy meals together, attend a series of lectures in the great room of the lodge, explore the scenic grounds of lodge, and conclude with a meal and an evening of live music on Saturday.
“The environment makes people feel like they’re taken care of,” said Professor of Religion Don Westblade, who has lectured for the series since it started. “It’s just that sort of up north lodge feel that is really comfortable and inspiring for people to think about big things like nature and God and so on.”
According to Professor of History Brad Birzer, who will be lecturing on Russell Kirk and T.S. Eliot in February, the small setting of the seminar gives the weekend a personal feel.
“We’re in this big room,” Birzer said. “There’s a beautiful fireplace, and it’s very nicely decorated, and has cushy couches. And it’s just a really relaxed atmosphere. It’s one thing to stand up in front of a group of 50 people, but to have a group of 15 to 20 is really nice. It really does give that sense of intimacy.”
The setting always provides a sense of warmth and community, Westblade said. Each weekend, the lodge welcomes a maximum of 20 guests.
“We’ve filled up the lodge every single time,” Westblade said. “The people come because the topic is interesting to them and they ask interesting questions. We get all ages, from high school kids up through retired people, so the mix of people is always very interesting. The numbers are limited to who can fit into the lodge, which means that there’s a lot of room for conversation and for discussion.”
In future years, Healy plans to increase the number of lectures offered from six to 10 so more people can experience Hillsdale.
“For many of these folks, this is one of the few times each year where they can get together with like minded people, folks that love Hillsdale,” Healy said. “They come up, and they feel like they’ve become friends with a professor. They leave having developed relationships with other guests, and they feel the absolute warmth of not only the fire but of just that sweet fellowship that only a place like Hillsdale could offer.”
