Simpson Residents Hear from the President
Written by Luke Daigneault
Wednesday, March 19th marked the first time that Dr. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, has spoken at Simpson Dormitory since the 2000-2001 school year. He was received with applause by a sizable group of men that night, which was followed by something seldom heard of in any other higher learning institution: A leader taking time to counsel and encourage his students on what it means to be a man in the midst of a society that blurs the lines.
He transitioned into a discussion on the common core, and how, as men, we are to be much more than “factors of production.” In a brilliant interpretation of the beginning of Plato’s Republic, he explained how the people fighting for the common core are much like Thrasymachus in that they believe justice is simply the “interest of the stronger.”
The President challenged us to be people who will “get things done.” The speech was refreshing and edifying. How many schools can think of their President the way we do? That is, as someone who will sit down with us as men and share wisdom that could never be learned in a classroom. His intentions could best be summarized by something he said during the question and answer period that followed:
“So, my point is, you’re going to have to learn to be men. And to learn to be men, you’re going to have to learn the best things. And then, being men, you’re going to have to learn to fight for them—and maybe die for them. You’ll find your happiness in that.”
Luke Daigneault is currently a freshman at Hillsdale College majoring in Economics and minoring in Philosophy. Luke runs for the cross-country and track teams and is involved in the Fairfield-Gadfly Group on campus.