Honor, Tradition, and Optimism | Victor Davis Hanson, 2025 Commencement Address
This address was given by Victor Davis Hanson at Hillsdale College’s 173rd Commencement Ceremony on May 11, 2025.
00:00 Introduction: Hillsdale's Rising National Profile
01:17 Hillsdale’s Independence from Federal Influence
02:27 Hillsdale as a Model for Civic and Moral Education
03:26 Observations from a Newcomer: Campus Life at Hillsdale
05:05 Hillsdale’s Unique Academic Curriculum
07:04 The Culture of Happiness and Civility
08:36 Behind the Anecdotes: The Value of Honor
10:50 Upholding Civilization Through Ethical Conduct
12:09 The Power and Necessity of Tradition
13:38 Rejecting Presentism and Embracing Historical Gratitude
14:45 Optimism as a Civic and Cultural Force
15:35 A Call to the Class of 2025: Lead with Virtue and Confidence
Show More
------------------------------
Support Hillsdale College: https://secured.hillsdale.edu/hillsdale/support-hillsdale-college
Visit our website: http://hillsdale.edu
Learn from our online courses: http://online.hillsdale.edu
Read Imprimis: https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/
Undergraduate programs: https://www.hillsdale.edu/information-for/undergraduate-admissions/
Graduate School of Statesmanship: https://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/graduate-school/
Graduate School of Government: https://dc.hillsdale.edu/School-of-Government/Program-Overview/
Graduate School of Education: https://classicalgrad.hillsdale.edu/
Listen to the Hillsdale College Podcast Network: https://podcast.hillsdale.edu/
------------------------------
Hillsdale College is an independent institution of higher learning founded in 1844 by men and women “grateful to God for the inestimable blessings” resulting from civil and religious liberty and “believing that the diffusion of learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings.” It pursues the stated object of the founders: “to furnish all persons who wish, irrespective of nation, color, or sex, a literary, scientific, [and] theological education” outstanding among American colleges “and to combine with this
