Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn spoke at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, honoring his friend.
Charlie was a major supporter of Hillsdale College and took many of their online courses. The inspiration of these courses helped him greatly in his leadership skills for a generation of countless young people.
It was Dr. Arnn who challenged Charlie to study and learn the Bible, and the history of America’s founding. This inspired Charlie to go on to learn and to challenge himself to be the great leader that he was.
“I asked him some questions he couldn’t answer. And he was already becoming famous, and I noticed his reaction. He said, ‘What should I do?’ And I said well, you have to suffer. If you want to grow, you have to suffer,” Dr. Arnn said.
“Start with the Bible, read the classics, study the founding of America,” Dr. Arnn continued.
“He got a hold of my cell phone number, and he texted me a copy of a certificate of completion of a Hillsdale College online course. He would go on to do that 31 times,” Dr. Arnn said.
“I keep a list in my head of the six or eight young people and I’m very privileged I get to know many inspiring young people who are the best I ever saw. Charlie is the only one who was never a full-time student at Hillsdale College who was on that list,” Dr. Arnn said.
“The assassin must give up his humanity to destroy something that has being. Charlie lives on. The assassin will die,” Dr. Arnn continued.
Watch:
“A GOOD THING IS A THING THAT HAS BEING. CHARLIE LIVES ON”@DrLarryArnn @hillsdale pic.twitter.com/3XtVUPoki2
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) September 21, 2025
Dr. Arnn announced that Hillsdale College will be giving an honorary degree to both Charlie and Erika Kirk.
“We are going to give Charlie and Erika the greatest respect a college can give, an honorary degree. Charlie, you see, has suffered enough. He’s gone to the Lord. He deserves his reward. Thank you,” Dr. Arnn said.
Watch:
CHARLIE AND ERIKA KIRK WILL RECEIVE HONARY DEGREES FROM @HILLSDALE
“Charlie has suffered enough. He deserves his reward.” @DrLarryArnn pic.twitter.com/PcP1n4ejQC
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) September 21, 2025