A Two-Panel Conference Examining Topics Through the Lens of Buckley’s Legacy

In Partnership with the National Review Institute, The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, and the Acton Institute

William F. Buckley Jr.’s ideas and philosophy fundamentally shaped the conservative movement in the 20th century, and the impact of his work continues to this day.

From a defense of the free economy to the case for a strong national defense, Buckley’s incisive mind and witty insights rallied allies to a common cause and formed generations of public intellectuals.

This one-day conference celebrated the legacy of WFB with panels on the Role of Education in Society featuring Kathryn Lopez, George Nash, Darrell Falconburg, and Jeff Nelson and Fusionisms, Old and New featuring Charles W. Cooke, Stephanie Slade, Nathan Schlueter, and John Pinheiro. Special remarks will be given by Gleaves Whitney, Rev. Robert Sirico, and Chuck DeFeo.

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Photos of the Event

Details on Attending

Where

Acton Institute

98 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

When

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 5:15 p.m. (See conference agenda below for full schedule.)

Program Supporters

Thank you to the following supporters who are helping bring this event to the Ford:

• The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal

• National Review Institute

• The Acton Institute

Panels and Schedule

4:30-5:15 pm: Registration

5:15-5:25 pm: Welcoming Remarks | Gleaves Whitney, Executive Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

5:25-5:35 pm: Opening Remarks on William F. Buckley Jr. | Rev. Robert Sirico, Co-Founder, Acton Institute

5:35-5:45 pm: Special Presentation: Otto von Habsburg and William F. Buckley Jr: A Friendship and a View from Europe | Gergely Prőhle, Director, and Bence Kocsev, Collection Fellow, Otto von Habsburg Foundation (Budapest, Hungary)

​5:45 - 6:45 pm: Panel 1: The Role of Education in a Free Society

An educated citizenry is vital to a flourishing society. Education forms minds and souls, but perhaps most importantly it shapes the moral imagination. While the parents are the first and primary educators, other institutions of civil society have a stake and responsibility to cooperate in the education and formation of its citizens. This panel featured:

• Kathryn Lopez, National Review Institute

• George Nash, Historian

• Darrell Falconburg, Russell Kirk Center 

• Moderator: Dr. Jeffrey Nelson - Executive Director and CEO, The Russell Kirk Center 

6:45-7:00 pm: Break

7:00-8:00 pm: Panel 2: Fusionisms, Old and New

Twentieth century conservatism united defense hawks, free market libertarians, and social conservatives in common cause against totalitarian threats and socialist movements across the globe. More recently, these old alliances have frayed while strange bedfellows and populists of all sorts are creating new ones: rallying against forms of crony-capitalism, crony-socialism, and the perceived perils of globalism. This panel examined whether a new fusionism is developing and critiques its various aspects. The panel featured:

• Charles W. Cooke – Fellow, National Review Institute 

• Stephanie Slade, Reason Magazine

• ​​​​Nathan Schlueter, Hillsdale College

• Moderator: John Pinheiro - Director of Research, Acton Institute

8:00-8:15 pm: Closing Remarks | Chuck DeFeo, CEO, National Review and National Review Institute