Q A& with Mike Pence

Q: You’ve been teaching classes at Grove City College this fall. One is a small seminar course for The Institute for Faith & Freedom student fellows and the other a larger lecture environment. Can you tell us about the classes and some of the material you and President McNulty are covering as team teachers?

First of all, I’m honored to team teach a course with President McNulty, I’ve known him for years and he is someone I greatly admire. Most recently we spoke about the First Amendment and freedom of religion, but the broader picture of the course has been the broader obligation of how to carry oneself in the public square as a believer. The main consistent objective of the course is to teach students how to think about the issues through a Biblical world view, how to stand in the public square, and how to defend positions that represent that Biblical world view in public policy. I’ve tried to combine Biblical principles and my own personal experience and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Q: How are students responding to the classes? What is your impression of Grove City College students?

I’ve been inspired by the engagement of the Fellows and that of the undergraduates. The conversations after class have left me with an indelible impression of what a special place Grove City College is. These thoughtful conversations have occurred in class or even just standing in line for Chick-fil-A. I am humbled by their sincerity and their graciousness in welcoming me to campus.

Q: Faith and learning are intertwined at Grove City College. How did you and President McNulty develop the material for these courses?

This course has been a true collaboration between me and President McNulty. President McNulty has such a wealth of experience leading the College but also in his impressive career in public service. We’ve endeavored to spend as much time outside the classroom discussing the topics as in the classroom. We have done Zoom calls with each other and done our own research. It has been a division of labor in presentations, with each of us handling different aspects, with both of us also taking time to reflect on our own experiences.

Q: How is teaching a class different from the kind of public speaking you did as a politician? What do you bring from your experience to the classroom?

Both President McNulty and I have been in the public square. And though we’ve both worked on our presentations, the classroom allows for much more of a dialogue with one another and with our students. It has been much more spontaneous. I’m very interested in the students and what their aspirations are and where they are looking to go. The quality of the questions has been so impressive from Grove City students and has brought about the best moments in the classroom so far.

Q: You are well known for your strong Christian faith. How did it guide you during your years as a congressman, governor, and vice president? What are some the lessons you learned that you share with students?

Democracy depends upon heavy doses of civility, something I’ve told the students in the classroom as well. I hope my faith has always shaped the way that I carry myself. I try to always be transparent about how we are supposed to carry ourselves in the public square. In my years in public service, we’ve always remained focused on keeping our faith a priority and our family a priority. I also encourage students that “the Bible has a lot to say about a lot,” whether it be human nature, the sanctity of life, the character of leadership, or the principles and values that guide believers. My faith has informed every aspect of my life in conduct or policy and that as believers we should consistently pray for wisdom, and I’ve always done so in all my public roles.

Q: What, in your understanding, is the proper role of faith in public life? How has faith played a positive role in America’s national story?

We tried to convey to young people that freedom of religion is not freedom from religion. We’ve tried to teach students to carry your faith boldly into the public square. Faith has played an enormously important role in the American story; from the founding to the march towards the more perfect union, to the civil rights movement. It has been believers and pulpits that have carried the heart of the nation. We continue to encourage students to be open about their faith and to articulate their vision and values in their calling for their life.

Q: The Center for Faith & Public Life at Grove City College was established to advance the role that Christian faith plays in large public and private institutions, including business and the media. Can you tell us what role you are playing in this effort as the Center’s first Distinguished Fellow and what your hopes are for the Center?

I couldn’t be more humbled to be the first distinguished fellow for the Center for Faith & Public Life, but it’s been a particular joy to work alongside President McNulty, who has been the driving force behind the Center and will continue to be beyond his retirement. America needs men and women of integrity in leadership roles. My hope is that the Center will be a place to train up men and women to lead their families, and their cities and states, and their nation. There is no greater need today than that of believers who are equipped and prepared to lead. The Center will play a leading role in this, and I’m honored to have been a part of it.

Former Vice President of the United States Michael R. Pence serves as Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Faith & Public Life for Grove City College’s Center for Faith & Public Life. Pence earned a degree in history in 1981 from Hanover (Indiana) College, where he renewed the Christian faith that is the driving force in his life. He graduated from Indiana University School of Law, where he met his wife Karen Pence. They married in 1988 and have three children. Before entering politics, Pence practiced law and hosted a talk radio show and public affairs program in Indiana. He was elected to the first of six terms in Congress in 2000 and served as chairman of the House Republican Study Committee. In 2012, he was elected governor of Indiana, where he enacted the largest income tax cut in state history. In July 2016, Donald Trump selected Pence as his running mate. He was sworn in as vice president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2017, and served until January 2021. Since leaving office, Pence wrote a book, So Help Me God, and launched Advancing American Freedom, a policy and advocacy organization committed to traditional conservative ideals that are “bigger than any one moment, election, or person.”