4.05.00
Hillsdale's Larry Arnn

4.04.00
Barry U.'s Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin

4.03.00
Senator Connie Mack

4.03.00
Yale's John Lott

3.28.00
Reform Party Chairman Pat Choate

3.24.00
Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlafly

3.20.00
Former Federal Prosecutor Barbara Olson

3.20.00
Yale's John Lott on Guns

3.17.00
Michael Novak

4/05/00 4:40 p.m.
Larry Arnn
The first exclusive interview with Hillsdale College's new president.

By National Review staff

illsdale College has chosen Larry Arnn as its next president. He will leave the Claremont Institute, a California think tank founded by students of Henry V. Jaffa in 1979 and dedicated to American constitutional principles, and begin the new job in June.

Arnn succeeds George Roche III, who resigned last fall after nearly 30 years in the post, amid allegations that he had conducted an affair with his daughter-in-law, who committed suicide in October. The story drew national attention.

NR: Why did you pursue the job of Hillsdale College president?

Larry Arnn: Liberal education is more important in this country than in any other. Institutions of liberal education have today largely abandoned the principles that underlie both liberal education and liberty. Hillsdale has not. It has, therefore, an opportunity to make a major contribution to the future of the nation. Having the opportunity, it has also the duty.

NR: How does Hillsdale College recover from all the negative publicity it received last fall?

Arnn: Hillsdale will grow and improve. It will stand up strongly for the principles that are found in its 150-year-old mission statement. In this, it will be well nigh unique. Also, it will be putting in place strong policies to prevent or sanction moral corruption, including adultery, by members of the college staff in responsible positions. These policies will apply first and foremost to the president.

NR: What is the status of the investigation promised by the school into the events of last fall? Will there be any further disclosures about what happened?

Arnn: George Roche is gone. He has paid a heavy penalty for this sorry and tragic episode. Whether it is insufficiently or excessively heavy depends upon facts that are hard to discover. Whatever these facts may be, it is not for the college to levy any penalties apart from his prompt departure from the college, which has been accomplished. Now the college must get back to work. We have a chance for a fresh start, and we will make one.

NR: Do you plan to make any changes at the school?

Arnn: The school will focus more tightly upon its mission and the connection of that mission to the history and principles of the United States. It will redouble its efforts to build a strong student body and faculty. The president will spend a lot of time with students and faculty. That is the fun of being around a college.

NR: How important is Hillsdale College to the conservative movement?

Arnn: Mighty. Hillsdale will both learn from and teach the conservative movement. The history of this college reaches back to the greatest conflict over the meaning of America. Today we live amidst such a conflict again. Hillsdale will have plenty to say about this. In this it will advance and improve the work that the modern conservative movement was founded to do.

NR: What happens to the Claremont Institute after you leave?

Arnn: We have a strong board, of which I will remain an active member. We have a strong staff. We are in a strong financial position. We have excellent programs. A new president will be appointed soon. Hillsdale and I will be looking for ways to work closely with him.

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