Larry Paul Arnn (1952–)

Larry Paul Arnn, who grew up in Pocahontas (Randoph County), became the twelfth president of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 2000. He previously served as the president of the conservative think tank the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy.

Larry Arnn was born on October 8, 1952, in Borger, Texas, to Robert Arnn and Georgia Arnn; he has two sisters. Arnn’s father attended what is now Lyon College in Batesville (Independence County) and the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville (Washington County) before serving as a high school teacher for almost thirty years.

Arnn attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro (Craighead County), earning a BA in political science and accounting in 1974. At Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California, he received an MA in political science in 1976. Moving to England the following year, he studied international history at the London School of Economics and modern history at Worcester College, Oxford University. While in England, Arnn worked as director of research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Sir Winston Churchill. While working for Gilbert, Arnn met his future wife, Penelope (Penny), and the couple married in 1979. They had four children.

Arnn returned to Claremont and completed his doctorate in government in 1985 with a dissertation focused on Churchill’s work as minister of munitions during World War I. The year before completing his degree, Arnn joined the Claremont Institute in Upland, California (which is not affiliated with any of the Claremont schools), and served as the president of the organization until 2000.

In 2000, Arnn became the president of Hillsdale College, an institution closely tied to conservative thinkers, politicians, and judges. Arnn also began serving as a professor of politics and history.

Arnn publishes on Winston Churchill and other topics, and his books include Liberty and Learning: The Evolution of American Education (2004), The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It (2013), and Churchill’s Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government (2015). He also serves as the editor of the Churchill Documents, part of the biography of the former prime minister.

Arnn serves on the boards of the Heritage Foundation, the Henry Salvatori Center of Claremont McKenna College, the Philadelphia Society, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and the Claremont Institute, where he became vice-chair. He served as the chair of the 1776 Commission, created by the administration of Donald Trump to counter the 1619 Project focusing on the impact of slavery and racism on the founding of the United States and beyond. Arnn was awarded the Bradley Prize by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

His career has not been without controversy. Following the 2020 presidential election, reports appeared that Arnn advised Vice President Mike Pence during efforts launched to block the certification of the vote to prevent the newly elected administration from taking office; with Arnn at the helm of the college, the general counsel at Hillsdale was involved with efforts in Michigan related to an alternate slate of electors. Arnn was also criticized for his comments regarding diversity on the campus of Hillsdale, when he referred to the lack of “dark ones” as members of the student body.

For additional information:
Hakim, Danny. “How a Conservative Christian College Got Mixed Up in the 2020 Election Plot.” New York Times Magazine, January 18, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/magazine/hillsdale-2020-election.html (accessed February 28, 2025).

“Larry P. Arnn.” Claremont Institute. https://www.claremont.org/bio/larry-p-arnn/ (accessed February 28, 2025).

“Larry P. Arnn.” Hillsdale College. https://www.hillsdale.edu/faculty/larry-p-arnn/ (accessed February 28, 2025).

“Larry P. Arnn.” Hillsdale College, Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. https://gradschool.hillsdale.edu/Profiles/Larry-P-Arnn/ (accessed February 28, 2025).

Smith, Brian. “Hillsdale College Issues Statement Saying President’s Remarks Not Intended to Offend.” MLive, August 1, 2013. https://www.mlive.com/education/2013/07/hillsdale_college_issues_state.html#incart_river (accessed February 28, 2025).

Webb, Kane. “Larry Paul Arnn.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, April 18, 2010. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/apr/18/larry-paul-arnn-20100418/ (accessed February 28, 2025).

David Sesser
Southeastern Louisiana University