--- title: "Charlie Kirk’s connection to small Michigan college" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/258237531.md" description: "Hillsdale College honors Charlie Kirk, confirming he took around 30 online courses before his assassination on September 10. The college, founded in 1844, emphasizes education to preserve civil and religious liberties. Kirk was among over 4.2 million who participated in its online programs since 2011. Hillsdale's Associate VP Emily Stack Davis expressed condolences and noted the support received since Kirk's death. Kirk had a personal relationship with college President Dr. Larry P. Arnn, who praised him as a remarkable individual. The college has created a tribute page in his memory." datetime: "2025-09-21T13:14:21.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/258237531.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/258237531.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/258237531.md) --- # Charlie Kirk’s connection to small Michigan college Michigan's Hillsdale College is paying its respects to Charlie Kirk, confirming that the conservative activist took dozens of their online courses before his death. Founded in 1844, the self-described "small, Christian, classical liberal arts college" provides "‘all who wish to learn’ the education necessary to preserve the civil and religious liberties of America," its website states. It launched its online program in 2011, and Kirk was one of "more than 4.2 million Americans" who took its courses that focus on history, politics, economics, philosophy and religion, and more. "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. Charlie took some 30 of our online courses," Hillsdale's Associate Vice President of Media and Public Relations Emily Stack Davis said in a statement. "We are praying for Erika and their children, and have been sharing memories of Charlie: lectures, conversations, and podcasts he joined with our faculty, staff, and students," she said. **8 EMPLOYERS THAT FIRED STAFF FOR MOCKING CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION** Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune / Getty Images) Davis said the school has "received many, many calls offering support and prayers for Charlie" since his assassination on Sept. 10. Hillsdale students gathered for a "quiet vigil" following the news of Kirk's assassination. **NJ DOCTOR RESIGNS AFTER NURSE SAID HE 'CHEERED' CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH** Larry Arnn speaks at NatCon 5at the National Conservative Convention in Washington D.C., Sept. 2, 2025. (Dominic Gwinn / Middle East Images via AFDOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP / Getty Images) Beyond taking online courses, Kirk enjoyed a personal relationship with Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry P. Arnn. "After Charlie had taken one of our online courses, passed the examination, received his certificate, photographed himself with it, and texted it to me. Before his death, he did that many times. The prevailing subject was always something he wanted to know," Arnn recalled in a statement provided by the college. A general view of the exterior of a building at Hillsdale College on April 6, 2023, in Hillsdale, Michigan. (Chris duMond / Getty Images) **CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS** Kirk spoke at Hillsdale College’s National Leadership Seminar in Phoenix in February. The college's website currently features a tribute image on its homepage that links to a "We Remember Charlie Kirk" page. The page includes a video message from Arnn, in which he calls Kirk a "friend." "I'm privileged to know lots and lots of high-minded, intelligent and serious young people," Arnn said. "Charlie is one of the best I ever saw. It's an honor to have known him." ## Related News & Research - [Fed projections call for a rate hike in 2026, but Chairman Warsh likely abstained](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290091618.md) - [WRAPUP 1-Warsh-led Fed expected to hold interest rates steady](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290033041.md) - ['Next Stop $1,700,' Says Investor About Micron Stock](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290119804.md) - [The Fed threw investors a curve ball on Wednesday. Here's how stocks, bonds, gold and the dollar reacted.](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290108226.md) - [Prediction: Sandisk Stock Will Soar to $5,000 in 2 Years](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290072141.md)