Erika Kirk Named as Commencement Speaker for Michigan College
Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, has announced that Erika Kirk will serve as the commencement speaker for the school's 2026 graduating class.
Kirk is currently serving as the chair and CEO of Turning Point USA following the death of its co-founder, her late husband, Charlie Kirk.
What Are the Details of Hillsdale College's Commencement Ceremony?
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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While the commencement will not be open to the public, school officials say that it will be available to view via a livestream.
Why Did Hillsdale College Choose Erika Kirk as Its Commencement Speaker?
In a statement released by the school, College President Larry Arnn said,
Charlie Kirk became a national and international sensation, and he built something amazing. At his memorial service were the great, the near-great, and tens of millions watching. We loved him because he was, at heart, a student who worked hard to get it right. Erika Kirk, brave and widowed, intends to carry on. And we will help her.
In a statement, Erika Kirk said,
Hillsdale represents something rare in our time - a steadfast devotion to faith, learning, and the principles that sustain a free nation. I am sincerely grateful for the invitation and look forward to being there with all of you.
She also stated that her late husband "loved Hillsdale deeply and was often a grateful student of its online courses."
It's expected that the school will also use the opportunity to award an honorary doctorate degree to Erika Kirk and posthumously award the same degree to Charlie Kirk.
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