Join the Intercollegiate Studies Institute from May 29 – June 1, 2025 and be a part of an exclusive, intellectual, and fulfilling retreat designed for thoughtful patriots who are dedicated to preserving the enduring principles of our great nation.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Brandywine Valley, The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa—A Historic Hotel of America—offers a luxurious retreat. Here, you’ll explore the profound ideas of our nation’s Founders and the thinkers who shaped them, all while surrounded by the region’s lush landscapes, historic landmarks, and rich cultural heritage.
Guided by Alex Petkas and Johnny Burtka, attendees will engage in deep, text-driven discussions on the qualities necessary for heroic leadership and explore how to advance those qualities in American political life. This is more than a seminar—it is a call to action for those who seek to make a serious investment in the long-term trajectory of our country.
For this rewarding weekend, each attendee will be given the necessary reading materials, including a copy of Johnny Burtka’s book, Gateway to Statesmanship.
Additional reading materials for pages 1-72 of Plutarch’s Lives can be found here:
About our Speakers
Johnny Burtka
John A. Burtka IV is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
He graduated from Hillsdale College with degrees in French and Christian Studies and earned a graduate degree in theology from La Faculté Jean Calvin in Aix-en-Provence, France. Johnny began his career at ISI, where he served as a development officer. He returned to ISI after four years at The American Conservative magazine, where he served as Executive Director and Acting Editor.
Johnny has appeared on Fox News and Fox Business and written for the Washington Post, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, First Things, the American Mind, and the Intercollegiate Review, among other publications. He has been a Lincoln Fellow at the Claremont Institute and has participated in academic fellowships at Washington College and the Trinity Forum.
Johnny lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Amanda.
Alex Petkas
Alex Petkas is a former tenure-track professor, who has published widely on Greek and Roman history and philosophy. After teaching at UC San Diego and CSU Fresno, he left academia to work in business, spending several years managing a small chemical manufacturing company. He is the host of Cost of Glory, a podcast profiling antiquity’s greatest figures and drawing lessons for modern leaders. He also runs educational programs and retreats in Europe and the US dedicated to training founders and executives in the classical tradition of statesmanship. He holds a PhD in Classics from Princeton University.
About the Venue
Listed on the National Historic Register, The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa was once a part of the Winterthur Estate and was named for Alexandria de Montchanin, grandmother of the founder of the DuPont Company.
Today, The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America providing a distinctive blend of historic charm, luxury and modern comforts.
The Inn at Montchanin Village is nestled in Brandywine Valley, 10 minutes North West of Wilmington and 25 miles South of Philadelphia.
Centrally located to all major Delaware museums – Winterthur Museum, Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum, Nemours Mansion and Gardens, The Brandywine River Museum, The Delaware Art Museum, and The Delaware Museum of Natural History.
Ticketing Details
For a couple to attend this exclusive weekend, the ticketing price is $5,000. For individuals the price is $3,000.
If you are local to the area and will not be staying at the Inn, the ticketing price for couples is $3,000. For individuals, it is $2,000.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 29
6:00 – 7:00 PM: Reception
Linda L. Bean Center
7:00 – 9:00 PM: Opening Dinner with Alex Petkas
Linda L. Bean Center
Friday, May 30
8:00 – 9:00 AM: Breakfast
Montchanin Inn
9:00 – 10:30 AM: Session 1 – “Plutarch: Life of Cicero” with Alex Petkas
Montchanin Inn
10:30 – 10:45 AM: Refreshment Break
10:45 – 12:15 PM: Session 2 – “Plutarch: Life of Demosthenes” with Alex Petkas
Montchanin Inn
12:15 – 1:15 PM: Lunch
Montchanin Inn
1:15 – 2:45 PM: Session 3 – “Aristotle’s Ethics” with Alex Petkas & Johnny Burtka
Montchanin Inn
Break
6:00-7:00 PM: Reception
Montchanin Inn
7:00 – 9:00 PM: Dinner
Montchanin Inn
Saturday, May 31
8:00 – 9:00 AM: Breakfast
Montchanin Inn
9:00 – 10:30 AM: Session 4 – “Cicero’s On Duties” with Alex Petkas & Johnny Burtka
Montchanin Inn
10:30 – 10:45: Refreshment Break
10:45 – 12:15 PM: Session 5 – “Machiavelli’s The Prince” with Alex Petkas & Johnny Burtka
Montchanin Inn
12:15 – 1:15 PM: Lunch
Montchanin Inn
Group Outing
Nemours Estate
6:00 – 7:00 PM: Reception
Linda L. Bean Center
7:00 – 9:00 PM: Dinner with Special Guest
Linda L. Bean Center
