Hillsdale College has announced it will award a posthumous honorary degree to Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA. The college's president, Larry Arnn, made the announcement during Kirk's funeral service, also revealing the creation of a scholarship fund for Kirk's children.
Key Takeaways
- Hillsdale College will confer an honorary degree upon the late Charlie Kirk on May 9.
- College President Larry Arnn announced the honor during Kirk's funeral service in Arizona.
- A scholarship fund has also been established to support the future college education of Kirk's children.
- Before his death, Kirk had completed approximately 30 online courses offered by the college.
Announcement Made at Memorial Service
The decision to honor Charlie Kirk was shared publicly by Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn during Kirk's funeral on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The service was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, with a reported attendance of over 70,000 people.
During his address, Arnn spoke of Kirk's significant, though informal, connection to the institution. He highlighted Kirk's dedication to learning and his alignment with the college's principles, despite never being enrolled as a full-time student.
A Unique Relationship with Hillsdale
Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, is a private Christian liberal arts college in Michigan. It is known for its classical curriculum and its refusal to accept federal or state funding. According to the college, this independence allows it to maintain its mission of providing an education necessary to preserve civil and religious liberties.
President Arnn's Personal Tribute
In his speech, President Arnn offered a personal reflection on his relationship with Kirk, placing him among a select group of exceptional young individuals he has encountered throughout his career in academia.
"I keep a list in my head, of the six or eight young people who are the best I ever saw," Arnn stated. "Charlie is the only one who was never a full-time student at Hillsdale College who is on that list. We will miss him dearly. He can't be replaced."
Arnn's remarks underscored the high regard in which Kirk was held by the college's leadership. The decision to award the degree serves as a formal recognition of this relationship and Kirk's intellectual pursuits.
Details of the Honorary Degree and Scholarship
The honorary degree is scheduled to be officially conferred on May 9. Arnn explained the timing and nature of the posthumous award during the service. "Charlie you see, has suffered enough," Arnn said. "He has gone to the lord."
In addition to the degree, Arnn announced a tangible form of support for Kirk's family. He and his wife have established a scholarship fund specifically for Kirk's children.
"[We] set up a scholarship in the hope that Charlie's children will go to a good college," Arnn explained, ensuring a legacy of educational opportunity for the family.
Kirk's Engagement with Online Learning
According to Hillsdale's Associate Vice President of Media and Public Relations, Emily Stack Davis, Charlie Kirk had completed approximately 30 of the college's online courses. This demonstrates a sustained commitment to self-education through the institution's digital platform.
Hillsdale's Online Education Program
Kirk's participation in Hillsdale's curriculum was made possible by the college's extensive online learning initiative, which launched in 2011. This program offers free, non-credit courses to the public, covering subjects aligned with the college's core mission.
Expanding the College's Reach
The online platform has significantly expanded Hillsdale's influence beyond its physical campus. The college reports that over 4.2 million people have taken its online courses. These courses focus on a range of subjects, including:
- History
- Politics
- Economics
- Philosophy and Religion
Emily Stack Davis provided a statement connecting Kirk's interests with the college's educational philosophy. "Without presuming to speak for Charlie, we believe he was drawn to Hillsdale's independence and its mission: to teach the truth and to live by it," she said.
This initiative allows individuals like Kirk, who are not enrolled as traditional students, to engage deeply with the college's academic material. His completion of 30 courses places him among the most dedicated participants in the program's history.
Legacy and Recognition
The posthumous degree from Hillsdale College formalizes a long-standing intellectual and philosophical connection between Charlie Kirk and the institution. It recognizes his efforts to engage with the principles of classical liberal arts education that the college promotes.
The combination of the honorary degree and the scholarship fund for his children creates a multi-faceted tribute. It acknowledges his past intellectual contributions while also investing in the future educational pursuits of his family, reflecting the college's core focus on education and legacy.
