Hillsdale College announced Sunday its new “Learn Like Charlie” initiative, which seeks to encourage Americans to pursue education in US civics, political philosophy, and the Christian Bible.
The announcement was first made in a commercial that aired during Turning Point USA’s “All American Halftime Show.” A press release for the initiative published Monday provides further detail.
Charlie Kirk often praised Hillsdale’s online learning programs, several of which he had taken. His appreciation for the college’s self-taught courses forms the basis of this endeavor.
According to the press release, the college “encourages people to take the same free Hillsdale College online courses that Charlie Kirk took and study the classics, the American Founding, and the Bible.”
“He didn’t chase credentials,” the website states about the role of learning in Charlie Kirk’s life. “He chased truth—studying the Classics, the American Founding, and the Bible through Hillsdale College’s free online courses. Those ideas shaped his character, his courage, and his life.”
The following programs from Hillsdale’s online course catalog are included in the Learn Like Charlie initiative:
- “Constitution 101: The Meaning and History of the Constitution”
- “The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives”
- “American Citizenship and Its Decline.”
The release refers to Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn’s speech at Kirk’s memorial service in September 2025, where Arnn recounted a time in which he recommended Kirk to “read the classics,” and “study the founding of America.”
“I thought I’d never hear from him again,” Arnn recalled. “Within a month, he got ahold of my cell phone number, and he texted me a copy of a certificate of completion of a Hillsdale College online course.”
