By Jaidyn Steinbrecher
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will be visiting Susquehanna University on Feb. 23 as part of the annual Alice Pope Shade Lecture.
Pence served under current President Donald Trump during his first term in office from 2016 to 2020. Pence is known for his conservative values and focus on upholding the fundamental values of the U.S. Constitution.
After leaving office, Pence founded Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a conservative advocacy organization designed to promote conservative policies and build upon the accomplishments of the Trump administration.
Pence will be discussing AAF’s Freedom Agenda while on campus. The Freedom Agenda is a set of ideas that conservative leaders can use to advance a positive vision for the future and addresses the top priorities of the American people: economic opportunity, American strength and leadership on the world stage and American culture.
Pence will also be discussing his two books, “So Help Me God,” published in 2022, and “Go Home or Dinner: Advice on How Faith Makes a Family and Family Makes a Life,” published in 2023.
Pence’s autobiography, “So Help Me God,” follows his life from his early upbringing to his vice presidency. The memoir explores his rise in national politics and provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the Trump administration, detailing Pence’s efforts to advance conservative policies. The most heavily discussed section of the book is his remarks on the January 6 Capitol Attack where Pence reflects on his decision to preside over the certification of the presidential election results despite intense pressure from Trump and his supporters.
Pence’s second book, “Go Home for Dinner,” was co-written by Pence and his daughter, Charlotte Pence Bond. “Go Home for Dinner” is a guide to balancing the demands of life with the long-term satisfaction that only a commitment to your family can bring. Throughout both books, Pence champions one of his most deeply held beliefs that faith makes a family, and family makes a life.
Pence has crossed the country to discuss not only The Freedom Agenda, but also his books, at many universities such as Harvard University, Villanova University and Duquesne University.
The Alice Pope Shade Lecture is nationally renowned among religious scholars and leaders and is held every year by the Department of Religious Studies. The lectures typically explore the role religion plays in various aspects of public life: civic, social, spiritual, political, moral, environmental, and in terms of the formation of individual character.
Last year, Susquehanna hosted Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, and Bill Richards from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine spoke in 2024.
This year’s event will be held on Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Degenstein Center Theater.
In preparation for the event, Campus Safety released pertinent information regarding attendance and security of the event, as well as information for protesting it. In an email sent on Jan. 29, 2026, by Kris Brown, the director of campus safety, students were advised of the following protocols:
- “Last fall, the university contracted a professional safety consultant to guide security operations. Campus Safety is coordinating closely with local and state law enforcement for planning and to be on site, along with Mr. Pence’s security team.”
- “Attendance will require tickets in advance, with controlled distribution requiring photo identification and initial priority given to students, faculty, and staff. All attendees will be screened at a security check, and restrictions on personal items will be in place.”
- “In alignment with the university’s Peaceful Assembly Policy (MyNest > Policies & Protocols by Topic > Free Expression) and to ensure appropriate use of security resources, no separate or competing protest events may be organized that day. A designated protest area outside of the campus center will be available only to current students, faculty, and staff with a valid Susquehanna ID between 6–9:30 p.m.”
There have been mixed reactions amongst the student body in regard to Pence’s invitation by the University.
A self-conducted report showed that of the 257 submitted responses, 65% of respondents opposed Pence’s invitation to Susquehanna with 17% saying they were indifferent to the speaker event, and 18% being in favor of it. Susquehanna’s Institutional Review Board approved the distribution of the survey. The survey was open to responses from Wednesday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 8., and all current students had access to the survey via their campus email address.
With that, 58% said they would not be attending the event and instead would be doing anything from protesting the event to hosting other events focused on spreading awareness and diversity.
Additionally, a new off-campus online group called Alumni Against Hate (not-associated with Susquehanna University) was created in mid-January with the goal of ensuring a safe environment for all residing at Susquehanna. The group was immediately popularized as it created a petition to relocate the Alice Pope Shade Lecture off campus. Within 24 hours, the petition reached a third of its goal of 150 signatures and later succeeded in achieving that goal. The outcome of this petition is currently unknown.
Across the nation, politics has become even more of a hot topic, and Susquehanna University is no different. Our students and staff are passionate about what they believe in and always work to make the world a better place. With that in mind, it is important to recognize and accept one another’s perspectives in a safe, acceptable manner.
Tickets for the lecture are free for students and staff and can be picked up at the box office until 5 p.m. throughout this week.