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Pulling up
to the Russell Kirk library for the first time, I was not aware of the immense effect
my weekend there would have on my life. I had heard many stories about the
quaint village of Mecosta and its beauty. In person, the town exceeded every
expectation that I had formed prior to my arrival. Nothing beats Michigan in
the fall. In addition to the aesthetically pleasing nature of Mecosta, the
village seemed to possess some sort of energy, a different feeling in the air. Looking
back, it very well might have been the presence of those who have gone before
us. Mecosta is a place where tradition stands strong and where the permanent
things are preserved.
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| Garrett Kasey - Class of 2020 |
Although I
identify as a liberal more often than not, studying Kirk’s conservatism has had
a profound effect on my mind. His lessons on the preservation of morals in
society and on the connection between all generations (derived from the
writings of Edmund Burke) have caused me to think deeply about what I believe
and why I believe it. Unfortunately, I have gone through much of my life not
giving enough meaningful thought to why I believe what I believe. I loved to
think about the physical aspects of politics, philosophy, and economics, but I
avoided thinking about the “Why?” behind each of those important fields. While
in Mecosta I figured out that many of my foundational beliefs are rooted in my
acknowledgement of the connection between past, present, and future. This
conservative philosophy helped me discover something about myself, and I’ve
realized that there is always something to learn from every situation. I could
have gone to Mecosta believing that conservatism could never offer me anything
of value, but I remained humble enough to let the lessons sink in.
In Mecosta
I was able to learn, laugh, and love. In addition to the countless lessons
learned, the trip gave me time to form deeper friendships with the scholars
around me. Sharing this experience with them is something I will never forget,
which is fitting, because friendship is without a doubt one of the permanent
things in life.
Garrett Kasey, of Elizabethtown, Ky., is a sophomore McConnell Scholar studying economics and political science.