Mike Pence has had some important titles over the years, from congressman to governor to vice president. Now he has another one: Professor.
Pence made his first foray into the classroom Thursday at Grove City College, where he and College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 are team-teaching Political Science classes this fall.
The former vice president said he was excited about his new role. “I just have immense respect for the mission of Grove City College and the opportunity to teach several courses with young men and women who I know are going to be Christian leaders in this country in the years ahead is a great privilege,” he said.
Pence’s professorship is part of a larger institutional effort to explore the role that Christian faith plays in major American institutions, including government, academia, the media, and business. Earlier this year, Grove City College established the Center for Faith & Public Life and named Pence as its first Distinguished Fellow for Faith and Public Life to help pursue that goal.
On Thursday, Pence and McNulty taught two classes – Christianity and Public Policy, a small seminar course for students affiliated with the College’s The Institute for Faith & Freedom (IFF) think tank, and Faith and Public Service, a larger lecture class that has more than 200 students signed up.
Beginning his first class, Pence noted that his wife Karen, a retired teacher, warned him that “it’s harder than it looks.”
“So be patient with me,” he asked his students before launching into his first lecture, in which he shared his experiences as a committed Christian and a dedicated public servant with a group of students who aspire to careers in the political arena.
“When I first came to Christ as a freshman in college after growing up with an interest in politics, I thought I was going to have to choose between living out my Christian faith or living out my goal of public service,” he said. “You don't have to make that choice. You can live as a Christian believer and stay true to your principles and, through public life, have an impact on the nation.”
"The Vice President's description of how his faith forms the foundation and core principles of his life had an enormous impact on our students and will significantly influence their decisions regardless of the occupations they pursue. His visits will be a highlight of the year," McNulty said.
The classes meet once a week with McNulty presiding in person and Pence videoconferencing from his home base in Indiana if he isn’t on campus due to the former vice president’s heavy schedule.
Pence made the most of his first day of school at Grove City College, touring campus and visiting the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Breen Student Union, discussing the Center for Faith & Public Life, talking with College faculty and staff, and meeting and mingling with students, whose selfies with Pence quickly popped up on Grovers’ stories and social media posts.
“I'm extremely impressed with the graciousness of the student body,” Pence noted. “The warm welcome that I've received from students from literally every background has been very humbling.”