Larry Arnn leaves Broadlawn in his Cybertruck. Courtesy | Zach Ponraj

A few seniors, lucky enough to be nominated as President’s Ball king or queen, traded the first hour of President’s Ball for a reception at College President Larry Arnn’s house — a reception that featured a ride in Arnn’s new Cybertruck.

“I was hoping he’d give us a ride, so I asked a question about the Cybertruck to get him going. My plan worked,” said senior and President’s Ball king Zach Ponraj.

Most of the students in attendance rode in the Cybertruck, including senior and President’s Ball queen Maddie Hornell.

“Dr. Arnn sharing the experience of his truck — which he likes so much — was indescribably dear to me. His ability to be so learned and yet so incredibly warm and relational is such a comfort in the midst of intellectual weariness and such a blessing to the soul,” Hornell said. “Every time I get to interact with him, I’m struck by his magnanimity (to be read in the Aristotelian sense).”

Speaking of Aristotle, Arnn told Ponraj there’s no competition between his love for the ancient philosopher and his new car.

“I asked Dr. Arnn if he liked his Cybertruck more than he liked Aristotle. He said, ‘No; Aristotle is not a toy,’” Ponraj said.

What is the ride like? Well, Hornell echoes Arnn’s experience.

“Just like Dr. Arnn said it would be: ‘like a cocoon,’” Hornell said. “I asked how it holds up in this weather, and he said that the only problem with the weather in his truck is that he can’t tell that the roads are icy. Of course, I asked the natural next question, and apparently, it holds up really well on Ball Road, too.”

The reception, featuring drinks and hors d’oeuvres, included both Arnn and his wife — Penny Arnn — as well as other college faculty. Although the Cybertruck stole the show, seniors in attendance recount the opportunity to converse with faculty in such an intimate setting.

Senior Anna Maisonville said she was honored to attend the reception at Broadlawn.

“We were there for about an hour before we were driven to the Searle Center to walk out on stage,” Maisonville said. “Some professors and the deans were there at the reception as well, and I enjoyed speaking with them and reflecting on my time at Hillsdale with them.”

Maisonville, Ponraj, and Hornell all said they appreciated the opportunity to engage with college faculty outside of the classroom.

“It was so sweet to have conversations with some professors outside of the context of the classroom,” Maisonville said. “I have a class with Dr. Lambert this semester, but it was awesome to chat with her for a bit not in office hours — and also see the beautiful dress she wore.”

The event, according to Hornell, was beautiful.

“There was a gorgeous spread of food, but I really only ate a couple of dried apricots from the charcuterie because I was a bit nervous. A woman named Vee was serving drinks at a small bar; she felt really honored to be a part of the event and to get to make friends at the college,” Hornell said.

Ponraj did not indulge in the dried apricots but discovered his new favorite drink.

“I asked the bartender to make me her favorite drink. I believe it’s called a ‘Greyhound.’” Ponraj said. “It was insane.”

According to Hornell, the Cybertruck episode was the most memorable experience of the night.

In The Collegian’s previous reporting on the Cybertruck, sophomore Aaron Grossman said he thinks Arnn should “arrive at President’s Ball in his Cybertruck.”

According to Ponraj, chivalry paid off.

“We let the girls ride first, but they took so long that by the time they got back, we had to leave for Searle,” Ponraj said. “Luckily, Dr. Arnn came through, chauffeuring us in the Cybertruck. It was absolutely iconic.”